Ukraine urges world to sanction individuals involved in Putin's elections in occupied territories
Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged the international community to strongly condemn Russia's intention to hold presidential elections in the temporarily occupied territories (TOTs) of Ukraine.
Source: Foreign Ministry statement
Details: The ministry noted that Russia’s Central Election Commission announced on 8 December that the next presidential elections will be held on 15-17 March 2024.
At the same time the Russian occupying authorities announced their intention to organise voting in the following TOTs: the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, and parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts.
The Foreign Ministry stressed that holding Russian elections on Ukrainian territories is a gross violation of Ukraine's Constitution and legislation and the norms and principles of international law, including the UN Charter. This election campaign, like other similar propaganda events in the past, is illegal and null and void.
The ministry stressed that the inclusion of votes from the TOTs will call into question the legitimacy of the overall Russian presidential election results.
Quote: "We call on the international community to resolutely condemn Russia's intention to hold presidential elections in the occupied Ukrainian territories, and to impose sanctions on those involved in their organization and conduct.
We also call on foreign countries not to send their citizens as observers to these pseudo-elections. Those who partake will face criminal responsibility in line with Ukrainian legislation.
Any election in Russia has nothing to do with democracy. They serve only as a tool to keep the Russian regime in power."
Background:
- The Russian presidential election will be held on 17 March, further to a resolution adopted by the Federation Council on 7 December.
- At the same time, Russia’s Central Election Commission ruled that the elections would last three days: from 15 to 17 March.
- On 8 December, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced he would run for a new presidential term in 2024.
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