BBC News - Ukraine crisis: Russia to recognise rebel vote in Donetsk and Luhansk
▻http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29799614
Russia says it will recognise the results of controversial separatist elections in eastern Ukraine, which the rebels plan to hold on 2 November.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said elections in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions “will be important to legitimise the authorities there”.
But Ukraine and Western governments say the elections should not go ahead. They accuse Russia of arming the rebels.
Ukrainian troops have been battling the pro-Russian rebels in the east.
A shaky truce took effect on 5 September, but there have been many violations and the situation remains very volatile.
