MOSCOW — Russia will recognize the results of Ukraine's parliamentary election, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying Monday by RIA Novosti news agency.
"Taking everything into account, this election took place, though not on all of Ukraine's territory," Lavrov was quoted as saying.
"I think we will recognize this election because it is very important for us that Ukraine will finally have authorities that do not fight one another, do not drag Ukraine to the West or to the East, but that will deal with the real problems facing the country."
Lavrov said he hoped Ukraine would form a "constructive" government and work toward easing tensions in the country as well as in its ties with Moscow, the TASS news agency reported.
"We hope that the election … will allow for the swift creation of a government that will be constructive, will not seek to continue escalating confrontational tendencies in society, [in ties] with Russia," the news agency quoted Lavrov as saying.
A deputy foreign minister warned Monday that "nationalists" in the parliament could undermine the process, RIA reported.
An initial vote count showed pro-European parties had secured a clear victory in the Ukrainian poll, the first to be held since street protests ousted the country's pro-Russian leader, Viktor Yanukovych, earlier this year.
"Parties supporting a peaceful resolution of the internal Ukrainian crisis won a majority. This gives them a new chance to return to the agreements made, first and foremost, in Minsk," Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said, referring to agreements made by Kiev, Moscow and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine's pro-Western President Petro Poroshenko hailed the election result as a show of popular support for his plan to end a pro-Russian rebellion in the east and pursue reforms.
Kiev and the West blame Moscow for destabilizing Ukraine by supporting and arming the rebels as well as reinforcing them with Russian troops. Moscow denies taking part in the armed conflict.
"The fact that openly nationalistic and chauvinistic forces won considerable support and will be represented in the Rada [parliament] creates an additional threat that again calls will sound … for the use of force, for bloodshed," Karasin added.
"That is extremely dangerous."
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