The high representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, condemned this Tuesday Russia’s plans for the territories it has invaded in Ukraine to participate in the organization of the next Russian presidential elections and considered it an attempt to legitimize the ocupation.
“The EU strongly condemns this new attempt by Russia to legitimize its temporary and illegal annexation of the territories of Ukraine,” Borrell said in a statement.
The head of community diplomacy said that the so-called “elections” flagrantly violate the Charter of the United Nations and the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
“Russia has no legitimate basis to carry out such an action in the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine,” he said.
On Monday, Russia’s Central Election Commission decided to organize the presidential elections, which will take place from March 15 to 17 next year, also in the territories of Ukraine that Russia has invaded.
Borrell guaranteed that the EU “will never recognize” the holding of the so-called elections or their results in the territories of Ukraine and announced that Russian political leaders and those who participate in their organization “will face the consequences of these illegal actions.”
At the same time, he reaffirmed the EU’s “unwavering” support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its inherent right to self-defense.
“Crimea, Jerson, Zaporiyia, Donetsk and Lugansk are Ukraine. Russia must immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders,” Borrell insisted.
Finally, he stressed that the EU “will continue to provide strong financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine to fight against Russian aggression.”