SELIGER, August 27 (RIA Novosti) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is surprised by the Kiev government’s decision to ratify the EU Association Agreement prior to the parliamentary elections slated for October 26.
«It is a bit strange that this determination to ratify the European Union agreement in September is demonstrated and declared at the moment when the dissolution of parliament was announced and the elections set for October 26," Lavrov said.
«The idea is to have the agreement ratified by the old parliament, the dissolution of which was explained by the fact that it does not reflect the will of the people. Would it not be better to wait for the elections, when the people’s representatives are already chosen?” Russia’s top diplomat stressed.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said earlier on Wednesday he would submit the draft association agreement with the European Union to parliament for ratification in mid-September.
“The EU association agreement will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada for ratification in mid-September," Poroshenko wrote in his Twitter.
Earlier in the day, Poroshenko signed a decree to dissolve the parliament. The new parliamentary elections are slated for October 26.
The current parliament was elected in the fall of 2012. In accordance with Ukrainian law, the next parliamentary election was previously to take place in 2017.
Following his election on May 25 Poroshenko has repeatedly highlighted the need to hold early parliamentary elections, saying the current composition fails to represent the interests of Ukrainian society.
