Putin Promises to Respect the Will of Ukrainians

World Today

Ukrainians in Russia also cast ballots. Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to respect the will of the Ukrainian people.

“We understand and see that people in Ukraine want the country to come out of this lengthy crisis,” Putin said at a conference in St. Petersburg. “We also want the situation to become calmer. We will respect the choice made by the people of Ukraine.”

He also said he hoped that his nation’s relations with the United States, currently at Cold War-era lows, improve after Ukraine’s crisis is resolved. But, he said, “we can’t force anyone to love us.”

CCTV’s Anya Ardayeva reports with details from Moscow.

Putin Promises to Respect the Will of Ukrainians

Ukrainians in Russia also cast ballots. And, Russia's President Putin has promised to respect the will of the Ukrainian people. CCTV's Anya Ardayeva reports from Moscow.

As the historic vote for Ukraine’s next president got underway, the country’s eastern regions were torn by ongoing tensions that kept many away from the polls, or shut the polls completely.

Many of the east’s 4 million voters either boycotted the election, or stayed home, fearing harassment by anti-election activists.

CCTV’s Stephanie Freid reports from Donetsk, where around 12 percent of the region’s population voted Sunday.

Poor Response to Elections in Eastern Ukraine

As the historic vote for Ukraine's next president got underway, the country's eastern regions were torn by ongoing tensions that kept many away from the polls, or shut the polls completely. Many of the east's 4 million voters either boycotted the election, or stayed home, fearing harassment by anti-election activists. CCTV's Stephanie Freid reports from Donetsk, where around 12 percent of the region's population voted Sunday.

CCTV’s Roee Ruttenberg interviews Maxim Estravi, freelance journalist in Ukraine, on the Presidential elections and the upcoming results.

Maxim Estravi on Ukraine's Election Results

CCTV's Roee Ruttenberg interviews Maxim Estravi, freelance journalist in Ukraine on the Presidential elections and the results.