The European Union (EU) on Monday strongly condemned the holding of elections in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces, calling the vote a “futile attempt” by Moscow to normalize the invasion and warning there will be consequences.
“The EU strongly condemns the holding of these unlawful ‘elections’ in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol and parts of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson,” said the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs . Joseph Borrell.
The 27 condemned and rejected “yet another futile attempt by Russia to legitimize or normalize illegal military control and the attempted annexation of parts of Ukrainian territory.”
The illegal elections, Josep Borrell added, are also “a further clear violation of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
Therefore, the EU “will not recognize the holding of the so-called ‘elections’, let alone the results”.
And Borrell left a threat: “There will be consequences of these illegal actions for Russia’s political leadership and for those involved in the organization. [das eleições].”
The head of European diplomacy added that it is impossible to hold elections in occupied territories where “illegally and forcibly” passports are granted to Ukrainian citizens, “including children,” where there are “forced transfers and deportations, systematic human rights violations and abuse. and transversal, as well as intimidation and an increase in repression” of citizens of Ukraine by authorities “illegally appointed” by Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party won Sunday’s elections in the occupied Ukrainian territories with a comfortable majority.
Election commissions imposed by Moscow in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, in the city of Sevastopol and in parts of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson indicated that five parties with representation in the Russian parliament had proposed candidates for local assemblies and that According In the preliminary results, Putin’s party was comfortably ahead.
The elections aimed to politically legitimize the annexation and were held on the same day as regional and municipal elections on Russian territory.
Source: DN
