The Power Within: The Kyiv Independent’s first-ever magazine. Be among the first to get it.

pre-order now
Skip to content
Edit post

G7 nations condemn sham Russian elections in occupied Ukraine

by Kris Parker September 13, 2023 2:57 AM 2 min read
A man rides a bicycle under a Russian sham elections campaign billboard showing Kremlin-installed proxies in eastern Ukraine running with Russia's ruling party, United Russia, in occupied Donetsk on Aug. 12, 2023. (Photo: AFP via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

The foreign ministers of the seven of the world’s leading economies have condemned Russian efforts to stage illegal elections in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

The G7 group which consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom,  the United States along with the High Representative of the European Union, released a statement “unequivocally” condemning the staging of sham elections on territory held by Russia in Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, as well as in Crimea.

“Russia has no legitimate basis for any such actions on the territory of Ukraine. The sham 'elections' are a propaganda exercise aimed at legitimizing Russia’s illegal seizure of Ukrainian territory,” the statement reads.

The statement references a UN General Assembly vote in Oct. 2022 that saw 143 states vote to condemn Russia’s attempted and illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory to emphasize that no territory gained by the use of force will be recognized as legal internationally.

On Sept. 30, 2022 Russian announced the unilateral annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, despite not even occupying large sections of the sovereign Ukrainian land.

Only five countries voted against the General Assembly vote; Russia, Belarus, Syria, Nicaragua, and North Korea.

“Russia’s attempt to create a situation of fait-accompli through these sham “elections” will not alter our approach nor our support to Ukraine as it fights to reclaim its internationally-recognized territory,” the statement concludes.

“We will stand with the Ukrainian people and continue to provide the financial, humanitarian, security and diplomatic support Ukraine requires for as long as it takes.”

Council of Europe denounces Russia’s sham ‘elections’ in occupied parts of Ukraine
“Held in flagrant violation of international law, (the sham “elections”) constitute a further illustration of the denial by the Russian Federation of the values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law upheld by the Council of Europe,” the council said in a statement.

News Feed

10:57 PM

Trump administration weighs sanctions relief for Russia, Reuters reports.

The White House has directed the State and Treasury departments to compile a list of sanctions that could be lifted, according to sources. While internal government offices routinely prepare such options, the White House’s direct request signals a serious consideration of sanctions relief.
8:17 PM

Ukrainians react to Trump-Zelensky clash.

In the wake of the Feb. 28 clash between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, the Kyiv Independent went to the streets of Kyiv to ask Ukrainians what they think of the now infamous meeting.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.