Ukraine's outgoing and new presidents denounce Russia over east Ukraine passports

FILE PHOTO: Ukraine's President and presidential candidate Petro Poroshenko delivers a speech following the announcement of the first exit poll in a presidential election at his campaign headquarters in Kiev, Ukraine April 21, 2019. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's outgoing leader and president-elect separately issued statements on Wednesday denouncing Russia as an occupying force in eastern Ukraine, after Moscow moved to simplify the procedure for Donbass residents to get Russian passports.

President Petro Poroshenko said the Kremlin's action violated international law, while incoming President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of waging war against Ukraine.