Updated 1:18 p.m. Moscow Time
MOSCOW, September 13 (RIA Novosti) - The State Duma, the lower Russian parliamentary house, may send observers to the early parliamentary election in Ukraine if Kiev provides them the guarantees of security and freedom of speech, the speaker of the State Duma Sergei Naryshkin told the press Saturday.
"Undoubtedly, we analyze the situation in Ukraine and the possibility of our participation in the upcoming parliamentary election. In order for this to become possible, we have to give an affirmative answer to a number of questions, including the questions on how [well] the security of our colleagues – the State Duma members – as well as the implementation of the observers" functions by them, safety of their transportation and freedom of their speech will be provided, since, after all, the observers are obliged to express their point of view on how free, democratic and adequate to the rules of international law the elections are," the official said.
The head of the State Duma noted that he personally doubts the Ukrainian authorities are capable of providing such guarantees to Russian lawmakers, however adding that he counts on Kiev to invite poll observers from Russia's State Duma and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Late August, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko dissolved the country's parliament arguing the body's current composition failed to meet the interests of the Ukrainian society. The elections are scheduled on October 26. Saturday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk announced that the newly-created Popular Front Party he heads will take part in the election separately from the President-backed Petro Poroshenko bloc.
