EU calls east Ukraine vote obstacle to peace, won't recognise it

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - An election of separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine is an obstacle to peace and the European Union will not recognise it, the EU's new foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Sunday.

"I consider today's 'presidential and parliamentary elections' in Donetsk and Luhansk 'People's Republics' a new obstacle on the path towards peace in Ukraine. The vote is illegal and illegitimate, and the European Union will not recognise it," Mogherini said in a statement after pro-Russian rebels elected a separatist leadership.