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Ukraine's MFA voices protest over illegal holding of elections in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories by Russia
KYIV. Sept 17 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly protests and condemns the illegal organization and holding by the Russian Federation of elections of deputies to the State Duma of the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol on September 17-19, 2021 as well as compelling Ukrainian citizens with illegally issued Russian passports to take part in these elections in the temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
"We consider the organization and holding of illegal voting as continuation of Russia’s gross violations of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," a statement by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry posted on its official website on Friday says.
The ministry says that these actions of the Russian Federation also severely violate the fundamental principles and norms of international law, Russia’s obligations under international agreements to which both Ukraine and Russia are parties, and the Ukrainian legislation. They also contradict the UN Charter, UN General Assembly Resolutions, the Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe of 1 August 1975.
"The holding of elections by the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol is illegal and their results will be null and void," the ministry said.
In addition, the statement says that involvement of Ukrainian citizens, living in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, along with almost 1.5 million voters currently living in the temporarily occupied Crimea, will significantly distort the results of the elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation and call into question their legitimacy in whole.
"All those involved in organizing and conducting illegal voting in the temporarily occupied Crimea, as well as organizing participation in these elections of Ukrainian citizens with illegally issued Russian passports in the temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, will be held responsible in line with Ukrainian law," the MFA said.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called on all states and international organizations to strongly condemn Russia’s illegal actions, clearly state non-recognition of election results in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and affirm the illegitimacy of the Russian State Duma. We also call to increase political and diplomatic pressure on the Russian Federation, including by strengthening sanctions.
"We demand from the Russian Federation to stop occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, put an end to illegal activities in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and fully implement relevant decisions of international organizations and international courts," the statement reads.
