Poroshenko says rebel elections threaten peace deal

Ukraine's president Petro Poroshenko warned on 16 September 2015 that the decision by rebels in the eastern region to hold elections on 18 October 2015 and 1 November 2015 posed a 'great danger' to the peace process, as it would violate the Minsk Agreement. These 'elections' would be held in parallel to the local elections organised by the Ukrainian authorities on 25 October 2015.

Mr Poroshenko also announced sanctions on over 400 people and 90 legal entities held responsible for Russia's annexation of Crimea and the conflict in the east.

On 24 September, Ukraine's president signed a new military doctrine naming Russia as the main military threat to Ukraine, according to a statement on the presidential website.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Ukraine fighting at lowest level since conflict broke out. Paris to host Ukraine summit http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-fighting-at-lowest-level-since-conflict-broke-out-paris-to-host-ukraine-summit/

BBC News, 16.09.15: Ukraine crisis: Rebel election decision 'great danger' to peace http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34275394

The Guardian, 16.09.15: Ukraine bans journalists who 'threaten national interests' from country http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/16/ukraine-president-bans-journalists-from-country

The Wall Street Journal, 16.09.15: Ukraine Bans Dozens of Journalists http://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-bans-dozens-of-journalists-1442440625

Deutsche Welle, 17.09.15: Ukraine expands sanctions on Russia http://dw.com/p/1GXeK

The Moscow Times, 17.09.15: Ukraine's 'Anti-Russia' Sanctions Target International Media http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/531258.html

Sputnik International, 16.09.15: Ukrainian Anti-Russia Sanctions Target 400 Individuals, 90 Entities http://sputniknews.com/europe/20150916/1027092120.html

Interfax, 17.09.15: Ukrainian sanctions applied to Russia's Bank of Moscow, Gazprombank http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/290686.html

ECFR: Commentary, 14.09.15: Local elections in Donbas risk scuttling the Minsk agreement http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_local_elections_in_donbas_risk_scuttling_the_minsk_agreement4021

ESO: Background information: Donbass parliamentary elections, 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/donbass-parliamentary-elections-2014/

Wikipedia: Ukrainian local elections, 2015 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_local_elections,_2015

EurActiv, 25.09.15: Ukraine's new military doctrine names Russia as main threat http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/ukraines-new-military-doctrine-names-russia-main-threat-317964

Sputnik International, 24.09.15: Enemy No One: Ukraine's New Military Doctrine Calls Russia 'Main Threat' http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150924/1027482605/ukraine-considers-russia-military-threat.html

The Moscow Times, 25.09.15: Russia Named Main Aggressor in Ukraine's New Military Doctrine http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/doctrine/535353.html

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