European Parliament adopted on 25 April, by 493 votes Resolution 2024/2665(RSP) on Russia’s undemocratic “presidential elections” and their illegitimate extension to the occupied territories.
EP’s Resolution unequivocally condemned the illegal so-called “election” conducted in the territories of Ukraine that Russia has temporarily occupied, namely the AR of Crimea, Sevastopol and parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
Resolution stressed that holding an “election” in these territories constitutes a clear breach of Ukrainian sovereignty and a distinct violation of international law, in particular the UN Charter; also Resolution deplored the use of the threat of violence by the agressor, as people were forced to “vote” in the presence of armed Russian soldiers. Also that Resolution called for EU restrictive measures against those involved in the organisation and execution of the illegal “polls”.
Resolution 2024/2665(RSP) concluded that this farcical performance by the Russian authorities had the single goal of creating the appearance of electoral “legitimacy” for Vladimir Putin, his policy of relentless domestic repression and, most of all, the war of aggression against Ukraine.
Resolution also urged the EU Members and the international community not to recognise the outcome of the Russian “presidential election” as legitimate, as it was held in the illegally occupied territories of Ukraine, and, even within Russia, was neither free nor fair, did not meet the basic international electoral standards, and thus lacked democratic legitimacy.
EU Resolution urged to limit relations with Putin to matters necessary for regional peace as well as humanitarian and human rights purposes, for example prisoner exchanges, the return of deported children to Ukraine or calling on the release of political prisoners.
Resolution also demanded that Russia and its proxy forces terminate all military actions, cease attacks against residential areas and civilian infrastructure, withdraw all military forces from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine, end forced deportations of Ukrainian civilians, release all detained Ukrainians, particularly children, and permanently cease violating or threatening the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Let us remind that our Association’s submission, prepared by Professor Borys Babin and describing fake “Putin’s re-election” at Russia-occupied territories, was sent aforehend to all key EU institutions, including the European Parliment structures.
