USA assigns $20 million for elections in Ukraine and Moldova

American officials say the USA was supporting the election process

The USA assigned about $20 million to back the elections in Ukraine and Moldova, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State John Tefft said. According to the official, the US government's help for the presidential election in Ukraine made up approximately $18 million. Tefft rejected rumors about USA's intention to back only one particular candidacy or party at the elections.  The diplomat emphasized that the US support touched upon the election process on the whole.

The US administration was funding local groups of the civil society to conduct explanatory work amid voters and campaigns to attract them to the polls. The diplomat added that the USA supported the work of independent mass media in Ukraine to improve their work regarding election campaign issues.

John Tefft added that the USA also provided special training for political parties and their leaders to prepare observers and officials for election committees. The American official added, however, that all that work was not linked with any certain political position. The USA had a similar approach to the parliamentary elections in Moldova too, Tefft said.

Last year, the US government assigned about 1.7 million of election help to back the Moldavian election, administrative and legal systems, independent media outlets, the civil participation and the training, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State said. According to the official, the American assistance in Moldova was aimed at the free and honest election process, but not at a certain party of a candidate.