Council of Europe condemns Russia’s “local elections” in occupied Crimea

The Council of Europe has condemned Russia’s “local elections” in the occupied Crimea and Sevastopol and expressed support for Ukraine.

Mark Cools, the president of the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, made this statement.

On behalf of the Congress, Cools condemned the “local elections” organised by Russia in Crimea and Sevastopol, emphasising that Russia’s actions are illegal. 

“The results of these elections cannot be recognised, as well as the elections in Russia itself, which were neither free nor fair. I emphasise the unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Crimea is Ukraine,” Cools said. 

The European Union also condemned the Russian Federation holding local elections in occupied Crimea and Sevastopol. The spokesperson for the EU External Action Service, Peter Stano, issued a statement on this issue.

The spokesman said that the EU strongly condemns Russia’s so-called “elections” in the occupied Crimea and Sevastopol on September 6-8. 

“The EU does not recognise these so-called “elections” in Crimea and their results. They are null and void and cannot have any legal effect. The Russian leadership and those responsible for organising these illegitimate actions will be brought to justice… More than 10 years after Russia’s invasion and attempted illegal annexation of Crimea, the EU is reiterating its position: Crimea is Ukraine,” Stano said. 

“There is one clear way out of this war: Russia must immediately end its illegal, unprovoked, and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine and withdraw its forces and equipment from Ukraine’s territory within its internationally recognised borders,” Stano added.

As reported, on September 8, Russia held elections to local authorities of various levels in the Russian Federation. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasised that the results of the so-called “elections” are null and void, and the “elections” themselves are illegitimate.