Russia faced opposition from European countries and the United States on the issue of the legality of the elections in two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, which it supports.

At the same time, the UN political leader made it clear that she supported the West in that voting would violate the 2015 peace agreement.

Russia, which is in conflict with Ukraine and the West since Moscow annexed the Ukrainian Crimean Peninsula in early 2014, in fact, was completely isolated at a meeting of the UN Security Council dedicated to the November 11 elections in Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, invited the Security Council to hear Elena Kravchenko, the chairman of the CEC of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic.. But in the course of procedural voting on the question of giving her the word, held at the request of several Western countries, Russia was the only member of the board who voted "for".

Seven members of the Security Council voted “against”, the remaining seven abstained. Kravchenko needed at least nine votes in favor.

UN Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs Rosemary Dicarlo warned that the planned local elections in two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine in November may be contrary to international agreements.

"The UN calls on all parties to avoid any unilateral steps that could deepen the split or contribute to the retreat from the spirit and letter of the Minsk agreements", - said Dikarlo members of the Security Council.

In 2015, France, Germany, Russia, Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists signed the Minsk Agreement in the capital of Belarus. It sets a goal to stop the fighting through a ceasefire and the withdrawal of foreign troops and heavy weapons and opens the way to a lasting, legal and political solution to the conflict in Ukraine, which began in 2014.

The actual authorities of the separatist regions in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions have announced plans to hold elections on November 11..

“As far as we understand, both in Donetsk and Lugansk two separate votes are scheduled: one for the elections of the“ head of the republic ”, and the second for the elections of the“ people's council ”,” Dikarlo said. She reported that the term of office of the elected persons is five years..

At the same time, Dicarlo noted that issues related to the elections are covered by the Minsk agreements.

“Therefore, I warn that any such measures taken outside the constitutional and legal framework of Ukraine will be incompatible with the Minsk agreements,” she said.

Members of the Security Council from Western countries shared her concerns and condemned the planned ballots..

“These fictitious elections, organized by Russia, directly contradict efforts to implement the Minsk peace agreements,” said US Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Jonathan Cowan.. “These elections also impede and undermine efforts to end the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.”.

“We consider these so-called elections illegal,” said British Ambassador Karen Pierce.. - This is another case in the Russian campaign to destabilize Ukraine. This is a clear violation of the Minsk agreements, and they are illegal in accordance with Ukrainian legislation. ”.

Even China, a close ally of Moscow, expressed concern.

“China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, including Ukraine, and opposes any external forces to interfere in the internal affairs of Ukraine,” the deputy ambassador of the PRC told members of the council.

Russian Ambassador Nebenzya rejected voiced criticism.

"Today we are witnessing another hypocrisy. The total and shameless sabotage by Kiev of the Minsk agreements for a long time, practically from the first day, is completely ignored, said Nebenzya..

“Instead of recognizing this fact, the upcoming elections in November are being submitted for discussion by the Security Council, which is a necessary measure in the conditions of Kiev sabotaging its political obligations”.

The Ambassador of Ukraine, Vladimir Yelchenko, said that holding these "so-called" early elections "is tantamount to appointing leaders of armed gangs to positions in illegal representative bodies.". The diplomat called this step "provocation" and "new aggravation" of the situation on the part of Russia..