Sybiha calls Russia's 'elections' a farce, urges world not to legitimize them

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has denounced Russia's upcoming Sept 18-20 elections as a farce, criticizing the process for not meeting democratic standards. Sybiha contends that the elections are designed to give the appearance of internal legitimacy for President Putin's regime. He argues that the Sept 18-20 so-called legislative elections cannot be considered genuine, stating that Putin has ruled Russia for 26 years, longer than Joseph Stalin, during which time his regime has dismantled democratic institutions.

Sybiha highlights the suppression of free speech, imprisonment or killing of opposition figures, and the banning of the only political party that mildly criticized the war against Ukraine. He also points out that the limited voting options offer no real choice to voters, and that independent OSCE observers have been barred from monitoring the elections.

Sybiha emphasizes that the elections planned in illegally occupied territories of other sovereign nations, including Ukraine's Crimea and eastern and southern regions, are invalid and violate international law, further delegitimizing the process. He urges the international community and media to accurately describe the situation, calling it a farce used by Putin's regime to bolster its domestic legitimacy, continue its aggressive war, and recruit more soldiers as cannon fodder.