The EU has condemned the latest decisions of the Russian leadership aimed at the gradual integration of the occupied territories of Ukraine. A statement to this effect was issued by the EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano.
"The EU strongly condemns the Russian presidential decrees of May 25 and 30 on simplifying the process of granting Russian citizenship and issuing Russian passports to Ukrainian citizens in Kherson and Zaporozhye in areas temporarily under military control of Russian invading forces, as well as to Ukrainian children without parental care and legally disabled persons from the occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. The EU will not recognize these passports issued as part of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine," the speaker noted.
He added that the EU also condemns all attempts by Russia to replace democratically elected local Ukrainian authorities with collaborators, to put into circulation the ruble in parallel with the hryvnia, to change the school curriculum and the language of instruction in the seized territories.
"Any attempt to change the status of parts of Ukraine's territory is a clear violation of international law, the UN Charter and the Constitution of Ukraine...and will not be recognized by the EU. Russia, its political leadership and all those involved in the violation of international law and international humanitarian law will be held accountable for these illegal actions," Peter Stano said.
The EU representative reiterated the EU's call on Russia to immediately withdraw its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine within the internationally recognized borders.