Luhansk republic won't force anyone to recognize elections - leader
LUHANSK. Nov 3 (Interfax) - Then newly-elected leader of the self-declared Luhansk People's Republic Igor Plotnitsky said no one would be compelled to recognize the outcome of the elections, held on Sunday.
"We are not forcing anyone to recognize the elections. What matters is that the elections have been recognized by the people," Plotnitsky said at a press conference.
"If the Western leaders have grasped the meaning of yesterday's process - and they do understand what it is about - they have realized that what they saw yesterday was the people's heroic feat," he said.
He also said that the first-priority task the republic's gvernmnmnet will tackle is that of bringing life back to normal.
"The tasks set have not changed, but they involve greater responsibility. Our first-priority goals are to restore the infrastructure, jobs and industry, and to bring heat, electricity and water to people's homes. This is the list of our priorities for now," he said.
Plotnitsky also said that the Luhansk People's Republic wants to cooperate with Russia. "Over 80% of the republic's economy is orientated to the Russian Federation. We have never concealed that. On the contrary, we were openly speaking about that and we are happy this is so," he said.
"We can offer much more than many think we can. We have much to offer and all this will find demand in Russia. We are not beggars. We are ready to cooperate in the economic sector and to get a worthy pay for our work," Plotnitsky said.