WASHINGTON: The United States called on all Ukrainians even those in eastern rebel strongholds and in the annexed Crimea peninsula to vote in weekend parliamentary elections.
"This is another milestone for a nation that is again demonstrating its commitment to an enduring democratic process despite the political upheaval of the past year and considerable security challenges that remain in some parts of the country," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.
Issuing a stern warning to pro-Russian rebels seeking to organize rival votes in the strongholds of Donetsk and Lugansk, Psaki said "the only legitimate elections" were Sunday's parliamentary elections and a follow up vote on December 7.
Washington hoped to see for "wide participation in the elections by all Ukrainians, including in Crimea, Donetsk, and Lugansk," she said.
The US would also "strongly condemn any interference in this legitimate democratic process and the ability of the people of Ukraine to peacefully choose their own leaders."
A final opinion poll has put the president's party, the Petro Poroshenko Bloc, a new force organized ahead of the snap vote, on 30 percent.
That means it will likely have to form a coalition with hawkish nationalists who oppose holding talks with Moscow over the conflict in the east, which has killed more than 3,700 people.
But Psaki said Washington "stands ready to work with Ukraine's new parliament to fight corruption, promote reforms and pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the east of the country."
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