LOC09:45
06:45 GMT
WASHINGTON, Nov 1 (KUNA) -- The United States "deplores" the intent of separatists in parts of eastern Ukraine to hold illegitimate so-called local elections on Sunday, the White House said on Friday.
If held, these "elections" would contravene Ukraine's constitution and laws and the September 5th Minsk Protocol, said the statement from National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan.
As President Barack Obama said on October 27, "the United States will not recognize any election held in separatist-held areas that does not comport with Ukrainian law and is not held with the express consent and under the authority of the Ukrainian government," Meehan noted.
The only legitimate local election in eastern Ukraine will be held on December 7, as prescribed by the Special Status Law signed by President Petro Poroshenko for parts of Donetsk and Luhansk, and in keeping with the Protocol that the separatists signed with Ukraine and Russia in Minsk, Belarus, on September 5, she said. (end)
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