Ukraine seeks global sanctions on pseudo-election organizers in Russian-held territories

Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the announcement.

The ministry noted that by holding "elections" in the temporarily occupied territories, Russia violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Ukrainian legislation, and international law, in particular the UN Charter.

"Russia’s sham elections in the temporarily occupied territories are null and void. They will have no legal consequences and will not bring any changes in the international status of Ukrainian territories seized by Russian military forces. By conducting fake elections in Ukrainian regions and in Crimea Moscow continues delegitimizing Russia’s legal system," the Foreign Ministry emphasized.

The ministry called on the world not to recognize the legitimacy of any "administration" that will be created as a result of the illegal elections and any of their decisions.

Ukraine demands to bring to justice and impose sanctions against the Russian leadership, representatives of the Russian-appointed administrations, and electoral structures.

Information available regarding “election” in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories

On September 30, 2022, Russian President Putin, based on the results of the so-called referendum in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories, signed "agreements" on the "accession" of the self-proclaimed “LPR” and “DPR”, as well as Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions to Russia.

On October 2, 2022, he introduced a bill to the State Duma proposing the "incorporation into the Russian Federation" of four regions of Ukraine.

On October 5, 2022, Putin signed the "laws" on the so-called accession of four regions of Ukraine to Russia. He also appointed Denis Pushilin as "acting head of the DPR" and Leonid Pasichnyk as "acting head of the LPR." Volodymyr Saldo became the "governor" of the Kherson region, and Yevhen Balytskyi became the "governor" of the Zaporizhzhia region.

The "elections" are scheduled for September 10, 2023.