Penza, 30 May 2014. PenzaNews. The Communist Party of the Russian Federation does not recognize the legitimacy of the presidential elections in Ukraine. This was stated by the first vice-speaker of the State Duma of Russia, the first deputy chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party Ivan Melnikov during a meeting with journalists in Penza, held at the press center of news agency PenzaNews on Friday, May 30.

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“The so-called presidential elections were held in Ukraine. The “so-called” because the Communist Party does not recognize the legitimacy of those elections, and we are stating this publicly. Our position and that of the official Russian authorities differ somewhat [...]. Nevertheless, I repeat, the Communist Party ddoes not recognize the legitimacy of those elections because they were organized by illegitimate authority under the punitive operation waged against the civilian population, in terms of mass murder of citizens, persecution of journalists, as you well know. And, of course , this cannot be considered as legitimate elections,”Ivan Melnikov said.

According to him, under the conditions of a massive military operation against the civilian population with the use of aircrafts and heavy weapons, Russian authorities should take a more proactive stance.

“The same proactive stance as they took in the Crimea,” the politician said.

However, he added that this position should be balanced.

“The Americans would very much like to start full-fledged hostilitiy between Russia and Ukraine. We cannot allow this. But we cannot allow that civilians of south-east of Ukraine suffered a humanitarian catastrophe either. We cannot allow that civilians were shot and all those who stood up against the fascists,” the first vice-speaker of the State Duma of Russia underlined.

According to him, there are examples in the history of effective control and assistance.

“I can tell you straight — Spain, when our volunteers were sent and actively helped those who fought against fascism. I believe that such options completely fit into the norms of international law. We do not offer something backstage, we do not say one thing and do another. No. This is out of the question. We believe that it should be an honest open position. And I am sure that this position will not only receive full support in our country, but also in many countries of the world,” he explained.

Ivan Melnikov said that the world's leftist forces understand and support the position of Russia on the situation in Ukraine best of all.

“Those were leftist forces that were categorically against the resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Ukraine against Russia and against the Russian delegation. Gregor Gysi acted brilliantly [faction leader of the Left Party in the Parliament of Germany] in the presence of Mrs. Angela Merkel [German Chancellor] in the Bundestag, when he gave her a rebuke over the fact that the government is, in fact, supporting the fascist regime in Ukraine, which includes five ministers — frankly fascists. The position of Russia in the UN was correctly assessed by those countries headed by the leftists. At least, they voted against the U.S. resolution that is for sure. Those are China, Vietnam, Cuba, Nicaragua, many Latin American countries,” the politician concluded.