Council of Europe condemns Russian "elections" in temporarily occupied Crimea

Council of Europe condemns Russian "elections" in temporarily occupied Crimea

Ukraine

The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, has condemned the conduct of so-called "elections" by Russia in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

She said this in a statement published on the Council of Europe's website, Ukrinform reports.

"On behalf of the Congress, I condemn the illegal conduct of so-called elections by the Russian Federation in Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea and City of Sebastopol occupied by Russia since 2014. The results of these elections cannot be recognized, just like the elections in Russia itself which are not free and fair," the statement said.

Cools reiterated the Council of Europe's unwavering commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and added that "Crimea is Ukraine."

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated earlier that the holding of "elections" by Russia in the occupied territory of Crimea and Sevastopol was a violation of the norms and principles of international law. The ministry said the results of the "elections" were null and void and the "elections" themselves illegitimate.

The EU also condemned these "elections," which Russia held in Crimea on September 6-8.

Related articles

Grosu Joins Ukraine Solidarity Walkout
Moldovan Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu joined other parliamentary leaders in walking out of the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva when Russian Federation Speaker Valentina Matvienko began her speech.
Erdogan Eyes Renewed Mediation Role
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday voiced hope that Türkiye would once again host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukrainian Culture Day Unites Communities in Moldova
The village of Iabloana in Moldova’s Glodeni district hosted the second Ukrainian Culture Day, celebrating Ukrainian traditions, music, and heritage.
Trump: Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting "Will Happen"
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “will happen,” though he criticized the delay.
Romania Denies Hosting Ukrainian Jets
President Nicușor Dan on Friday firmly rejected Russian accusations that Romania allowed Ukrainian military planes to fly over its territory, calling the claims “totally false.”
Russia-Ukraine Move Closer to Peace in Istanbul Talks
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced Wednesday that the latest round of Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul marked tangible progress toward peace.
Bulgaria Condemns Russian Aggression
The Bulgarian National Assembly on Wednesday adopted a declaration denouncing Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
New Ukraine-Russia Talks in Türkiye
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Monday that a new round of peace talks with Russia will take place in Türkiye on Wednesday.