EU condemns Russia's intentions to hold ‘elections’ in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine

This is said in a statement by the EU spokesperson, which was published on the website of the European External Action Service, Ukrinform reports.

“This week, the Central Election Commission of Russia decided to hold ‘elections’ in September in the territories of Ukraine that Russia temporarily militarily occupies, in yet another violation of international law. This is a further futile attempt by Russia to pretend to legitimise its illegal military control and attempted annexation of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol. It seriously violates the UN Charter and Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia has no legitimate basis for any such action on the territory of Ukraine,” the statement says.

As noted in the document, Russia has no legal grounds for any such actions on the territory of Ukraine.

“Russia, its political leadership, and all those involved in organisation of these so-called elections will face consequences of their illegal actions,” the statement says.

The European Union is the document stresses it remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine, and demands that Russia must immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

According to Russian media, the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation "after consultations with the Ministry of Defense and the FSB" decided to schedule elections in the temporarily occupied territories, which it designates as "new regions of Russia," for September 10, 2023.