The European Union has categorically condemned the holding of illegitimate so-called elections in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories and stated that the Russian leadership should bear responsibility for this. This information was announced by the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell.
He emphasized that the EU categorically rejects this latest attempt by Russia to legalize or play up its illegal military occupation and annexation of part of Ukrainian territories.
The EU High Representative emphasized that the European Union does not consider the holding of these so-called elections and their results legitimate. At the same time, Russia's political leaders and their accomplices in organizing these elections must be held accountable for these illegal actions.
It is also emphasized that these illegal elections in Ukraine took place in the context of coercion and illegal issuance of passports by Russia, including to children, forced displacement and deportation, massive and systematic human rights violations, as well as threats and repression against Ukrainian citizens and illegitimate authorities in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
Furthermore, the EU commends the courage of Ukrainians who have stood up against the sham elections and continue to resist the Russian occupation.
It should be noted that the elections in Russia were held under severe restrictions due to the aggression against Ukraine. Thus, the Kremlin intensified internal repression by introducing military censorship and further persecuting opposition politicians, civil society organizations, independent media and other critics, using repressive laws and politically motivated sentences.
These measures have resulted in restrictions on civil and political rights and limited the ability of many candidates to run for office, limiting voter choice and access to accurate candidate information.
