NEW YORK – Deadly clashes in the Ukraine have resulted in more deaths as fighting continues. Russian President Vladimir Putin is saying that the country is now in the midst of a “full-scale civil war”.
Putin made the comments when speaking at an economic conference in St Petersburg, Russia on Friday.
Putin also said Russia will respect the election results in the Ukraine.
As violence continues to roil eastern Ukraine, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated today his appeals to all parties ahead of Sunday’s scheduled presidential elections to redouble their efforts to help create the conditions that will allow voters across the crisis-torn country to safely cast their ballots.
“The Secretary-General is dismayed by the deadly overnight attack against a military checkpoint in eastern Ukraine,” said a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson in New York.
With only three days before presidential elections, the Secretary-General, in the statement, appealed to all parties to redouble their efforts and help create the necessary conditions so that all eligible voters throughout the country could cast their ballots in a free and fair environment and without fear for their safety.
“Voters across Ukraine should see the elections as an opportunity to help move the country on to a more inclusive and stable trajectory while also determining the country’s leadership at a pivotal moment,” the statement concludes.
