Ukraine does not recognize russia's pseudo-elections in temporarily occupied territories - MFA

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that the holding of "elections" by the aggressor state of russia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine is illegal, and the result is null and void. Those involved in their organization and holding will be held liable, in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine and within the framework of international legal processes.

This is announced in the statement of the department.

"We emphasize that the organization by russia of the so-called "elections" in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine is illegal, and their results are null and void. No persons allegedly "elected" as a result of this farce will have any legal grounds to perform their official duties," the MFA stated.

The ministry is also convinced that Ukraine's allies and partners will not recognize the results of the pseudo-elections, will not contact representatives of the occupation authorities in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine, and will not take any actions that may violate the policy of non-recognition of the russian occupation of Ukrainian lands.

"Any bodies, their officials and service personnel in the temporarily occupied territory, as well as all their activities, are considered illegal if they are created, elected or appointed in a manner not provided for by the legislation of Ukraine," the foreign ministry emphasized.

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that those involved in the organization and conduct of any "elections" in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine will be held responsible in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine and within the framework of international legal processes, and will also be subject to existing and future sanction regimes in Ukrainian and foreign jurisdictions.

"Fake elections on stolen land will not help russia legitimize the occupation - what was stolen will have to be returned," the department summarized.

"Elections" in the occupied territories

On September 14, the russian federation held the so-called "single voting day", during which, contrary to the norms and principles of international law, an imitation of the election process also took place in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine, in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The occupation authorities held "by-elections" of members of the city councils of the temporarily occupied Sevastopol and Simferopol, as well as the so-called "governor" of Sevastopol.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in the meantime, the Kremlin announced a pause in peace talks between russia and Ukraine.