EU does not recognize results of Russian presidential pseudo-elections in Ukraine’s occupied territories

This is said in a statement by EU High Representative Josep Borrell, Ukrinform reports.

As noted, the presidential elections held by Russia on 15-17 March took place in a highly restricted environment exacerbated also by Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

The statement says that Russian authorities have continued to increase the systematic internal repression by cracking down on opposition politicians, civil society organisations, independent media and other critical voices with the use of repressive legislation and politically motivated prison sentences.

According to Borrell, the shocking death of opposition politician Alexei Navalny in the run-up to the elections is yet another sign of the accelerating and systematic repression.

“The elections took place in an ever-shrinking political space, which has resulted in an alarming increase of violations of civil and political rights, and precluded many candidates from running, including all those opposed to Russia’s illegal war of aggression, deprived Russian voters of a real choice and heavily limited their access to accurate information. The European Union will continue to support the important work of Russian civil society organisations, human rights defenders and independent media,” the statement says.

The European Union will continue to support the important work of Russian civil society organisations, human rights defenders and independent media.

Borrell has stated that the European Union regrets the decision of Russian authorities not to invite OSCE/ODIHR observers to its elections.

In addition, the European Union strongly condemns the illegal holding of so-called “elections” in the territories of Ukraine that Russia has temporarily occupied: Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, as well as in parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

“The so-called ‘elections’ in these territories represent yet another manifest violation by Russia of international law, including the UN Charter, and of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity… We urge Russia to respect Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders and sovereignty,” the statement says.

The European Union reiterates that it does not and will never recognise either the holding of these so-called “elections” in the territories of Ukraine or their results. They are null and void and cannot produce any legal effect whatsoever. Russia’s political leadership and those involved in organising them will face consequences of these illegal actions.

“The European Union reiterates its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Russia must cease its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its military forces and equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine,” the statement says.

As reported, the pseudo-elections in Russia took place on March 15-17.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that these so-called elections have no legitimacy and cannot have any.

On Monday, the EU Foreign Affairs Council plans to adopt a statement on the so-called 'election' of the Russian president, as well as discuss Russia's war against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.