Voters arrive at a polling station, guarded by pro-Russian rebels, in Donetsk on Sunday ©AFP Russia moved swiftly to recognise results of controversial elections in Ukraine’s breakaway eastern regions, defying pressure from the west urging Moscow not to undermine fragile peace efforts by giving credence to an “illegitimate” vote. “We respect the will of the people . . . elections in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions were . . . carried out in organised fashion with a high voter turnout,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday. More On this story Ukraine’s self-declared republics hold elections Gideon Rachman Europe’s bloody borders Zakharchenko stumps for votes in Donetsk In depth Crisis in Ukraine Drinks with Russian soldiers in Lugansk On this topic Russia and Ukraine reach gas deal Editorial Ukraine sets its face towards the west Election marks turning point for Ukraine Polls signal Ukraine’s shift to west IN Europe Tax casts shadow over Dublin’s tech […]