Ukraine rebukes Mélenchon over proposal to consult Donbas residents

Conflict · First reported 9 Nov, 15:32 · Updated 16:01

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland. · Public domain

Ukraine’s government criticized French presidential hopeful Jean-Luc Mélenchon after he said people in Donbas should have a say on which side of the border they live on. A Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesperson argued that votes held under occupation would serve annexation, while Mélenchon said he would not support territorial concessions without consulting those affected.

At a Saturday rally, Mélenchon said people in Donbas should be consulted about whether they want to be Ukrainian or Russian.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry spokesperson said referendums under occupation are a tool of annexation, and noted that Ukraine voted in 1991.
The exchange comes amid France’s presidential campaign; the report says polls suggest Mélenchon and Marine Le Pen could meet in a second-round vote.

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Key facts

Mélenchon’s remarks: At a Saturday rally, he said people in Donbas should decide whether they want to be Ukrainian or Russian.
Ukraine’s response: Foreign ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said referendums under occupation are a tool of annexation.
Earlier vote cited: Tykhyi said Ukraine had voted in 1991.
French election context: The report says polls suggest Mélenchon and Marine Le Pen could face each other in the second round of next year’s presidential election.