Zyuganov: elections in Ukraine are shameful

According to the Russian Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, the presidential elections in Ukraine are impossible to be recognized as legitimate, because the country is experiencing fighting and a large part of the population has not participated in the vote.

The elections were held yesterday against a background of a deep political crisis and a large-scale military operation in the east, conducted by the Kiev authorities, which has resulted in killing civilians. 21 candidates competed for the presidency. Billionaire Poroshenko gained more than 50% of the vote.

Russia, according to Zyuganov, has to interact with the new leadership of Ukraine in any case, because in the southeast the Russian-speaking population is suffering.

"As a politician and representative of civil society, I did not and do not recognize these elections. This is a disgrace," RIA Novosti quotes Zyuganov.