© Alexey Kudenko / Reuters
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova at a briefing on current foreign policy issues.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova at a briefing on current foreign policy issues.
"The ballot stations on Ukrainian territory will be opened in the Russian embassy and in our Consulate-Generals," Zakharova told reporters on Thursday. She emphasized that as the diplomatic offices are recognized as Russian territory by international conventions, there was no way for Kiev authorities to obstruct the voting process. Zakharova also noted that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) had assured Russia it would monitor the process and report any violations.
On the past weekend, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko instructed the country's Foreign Ministry to inform Moscow that it was impossible to hold Russian elections on Ukrainian territory. The step was taken soon after the Russian Foreign Ministry had asked the Ukrainian authorities to ensure the safety of any citizens visiting the Russian embassy in Kiev and consular offices in Odessa, Kharkov and Lvov in order to participate in the parliamentary elections on Sunday September 18.
Comment: It's noteworthy that Netanyahu is the one who initiated the call. It's pretty clear that Israel has no real intentions of settling with the Palestinians, so the overtures to Russia have other motives. Israel has always needed a patron, and sees the Empire that has supported it up to now is failing. Russia is the new candidate. However, Bibi may find he can't turn Russian policy as easily as he could in the U.S., and securing Russia's favor may involve more concessions than he realizes. Stay tuned!