In case you missed it yesterday, here is how the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe viewed Ukraine's parliamentary elections:
Here's another update from our news desk:
Kyiv has condemned as "destructive and provocative" Russia's support for elections organized by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, saying Moscow's stance could wreck chances for peace.
The November 2 vote was scheduled in defiance of Ukrainian national elections on October 26 which were won by pro-Western parties that are dedicated to holding the country together and negotiating a settlement to eastern Ukraine's conflict.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on October 28 described the vote planned by rebels as "pseudo-elections," saying they "grossly contradict the spirit and letter" of international agreements reached in Minsk in September.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow plans to recognize the elections that are being organized by separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk.
Poroshenko has previously said any local elections in Ukraine must be conducted according to Ukrainian law.
(Reuters, AP, AFP, TASS)
RFE/RL's news desk has issued this sanctions-related item:
Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of Russia's state-controlled natural gas monopoly Gazprom, said on October 28 that it has challenged European Union sanctions against the firm in the EU's Court of Justice.
The sanctions against Gazprom Neft were imposed as part of wider restrictions against Russia over its illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and its support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
The EU sanctions restrict the ability of Gazprom Neft, Russia's fourth biggest oil producer by output, to raise funds on European markets.
The United States also has imposed sanctions against Gazprom Neft in response to Russia's role in Ukraine's crisis.
The West says Moscow is supplying arms and troops to help pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine battle Ukrainian government forces.
Moscow denies that, despite increasing evidence to support the charges.
(Reuters, AP, Tass)