EU not to recognize Russian elections in occupied Ukrainian territories

As reported by Ukrinform, this was said in a statement issued by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas on behalf of the European Union.

“The State Duma elections held by Russia on 18–20 September underscored the continued and deepening erosion of democracy in Russia, taking place in an increasingly authoritarian political environment. The absence of any level playing field was further exacerbated by Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and ongoing illegal occupation of Ukrainian territories,” the statement said.

The EU strongly condemned the Russian Federation’s illegal organization of so-called elections in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories, namely the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as in parts of thr Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.

These so-called elections “represent yet another blatant violation by Russia of international law, including the UN Charter, and of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The European Union called on Russia to respect Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and sovereignty, reaffirming that it “does not and will never recognize either the holding of these so-called ‘elections’ in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine or their results.”

“Those involved in organizing these sham elections or standing as candidates in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as those responsible for undermining the possibility of free and fair elections inside Russia, will be sanctioned,” the statement said.

The European Union also reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

“Russia must cease its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, agree to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its military forces and equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine,” Kallas wrote on behalf of the EU.

The statement also noted that the Russian authorities continue to intensify systematic and institutionalized domestic and transnational repression to prevent any democratic opposition forces from participating in efforts to change the existing state of affairs. According to the EU, the decision to bar candidates from the Yabloko party from running on the federal list further restricted the choices available to Russian voters, removing one of the last opposition forces and the only party with an anti-war platform from the electoral process.

The EU noted that, even in the period preceding the elections, independent analysts and observers had reported widespread abuse of administrative and judicial resources aimed at eliminating everyone opposed to the war, depriving Russian voters of a genuine choice regarding their country’s future, and significantly restricting Russians’ access to independent information.

In this context, the European Union and its member states reaffirmed their continued support for Russian civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and independent media.

The European Union also expressed regret over the Russian Federation’s decision not to invite OSCE observers.

“It further demonstrates the Russian Federation’s pattern of disregard for binding commitments undertaken by all OSCE participating States and has denied Russian voters and institutions an impartial and independent assessment of these elections,” the statement said.

As reported by Ukrinform, Poland’s Foreign Ministry condemned Russia’s holding of illegal “elections” in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine