The EU did not recognize the elections of the Russian Federation in the occupied territories

The EU did not recognize the elections of the Russian Federation in the occupied territories. Photo: AFP

The European Union condemned Russia's holding of presidential elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and threatened their organizers with consequences.

This is stated in a statement on the EU website, published by the press service of the Representation of the European Union in Russia.

It was noted there that the presidential elections held in Russia on March 15-17 «were held under strict restrictions, exacerbated by Russia's illegal aggression against Ukraine.» The EU emphasized that the Russian authorities continue to intensify internal repression, persecuting opposition politicians, public organizations, independent media, issuing politically motivated prison sentences.

The European Union also regrets the decision of the Russian authorities not to invite observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to its elections. This contradicts Russia's obligations to the OSCE and deprives Russian voters and institutions of the opportunity to evaluate these elections impartially and independently.

In addition, the European Union strongly condemned the illegal holding of so-called «elections» in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine: in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as in the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

«The so-called «elections» in these territories are another clear violation by Russia of international law, including the UN Charter, as well as the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Referring to two resolutions of the UN General Assembly dated October 12, 2022 and March 27, 2014, we call on Russia to respect the internationally recognized borders and sovereignty of Ukraine. The European Union reiterates that it does not and will never recognize the holding of these so-called «elections» on the territory of Ukraine, nor their results. They have no legal force and cannot have any legal consequences,» the statement said.

They added that «the political leadership of Russia and those involved in their organization will face the consequences of these illegal actions».

We will remind, in the temporarily occupied Kakhovka of the Kherson region, the Russian invaders fired at the «polling station». After that, the propagandists blamed the Defense Forces of Ukraine for this attack.