The Obama administration has condemned regional polls in eastern Ukraine which elected pro-Russian separatist leaders. Russia has recognized Sunday’s elections while Ukraine’s president has threatened to scrap an autonomy deal for the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. U.S. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said European countries have joined the United States in rejecting the poll.

Jen Psaki: “The United States deplores and does not recognize yesterday’s so-called separatist elections in eastern Ukraine, nor do we recognize any of the leaders chosen in this illegal vote. We also welcome statements from the European Union, United Nations, France, Germany and others, rejecting these illegal and illegitimate actions.”