Ukraine declares Russia’s ‘elections’ in occupied territories illegal, will not recognize results – MFA statement

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine considers the results of the illegal “elections” held by Russia in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories to be null and void.

According to Ukrinform, this was stated in a press release by the Ukrainian foreign ministry.

“We emphasize that the organization by Russia of the so-called ‘elections’ in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory is illegal, and their results are void. No individuals supposedly ‘elected’ through this farce will have any legal grounds to perform official duties,” the MFA said.

The ministry stressed that any bodies, their officials, and their activities in the temporarily occupied territories are considered illegal if they were created, elected, or appointed in a manner not provided for by Ukrainian law.

“We once again confirm that all persons involved in organizing and conducting any ‘elections’ in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory will bear responsibility under current Ukrainian law and international legal processes, and will also be subject to existing and future sanctions regimes in Ukrainian and foreign jurisdictions,” the MFA stated.

The ministry expressed confidence that allies and partners will continue not to recognize the results of such sham elections, will not engage with representatives of the occupation authorities in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories, and will take no actions that could violate the policy of non-recognition of Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian lands.

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As reported, on September 14, Russia held its so-called “single voting day,” during which, in violation of international law, an imitation election process also took place in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

This year, the occupation authorities conducted “by-elections” for city council deputies in temporarily occupied Sevastopol and Simferopol, as well as for the so-called “governor” of Sevastopol.