Putin claims Ukraine is blocking negotiations despite Kyiv preparing new round
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed Ukraine is not genuinely interested in negotiations and is taking steps to prevent an end to the war, even as Kyiv prepares for a possible new round of trilateral talks with Russia and the United States, Interfax reported.
Within Russia's parliamentary election, residents of regions Russia annexed from Ukraine during its invasion are participating for the first time. Kyiv vehemently rejects this move as illegitimate, with human rights activists describing the affected people as being pressured to take part. Over 3.5 million voters reside in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia territories, which Russia annexed in September 2022.
Despite not being fully controlled by Moscow, these regions have been contesting the State Duma election since the end of last month. Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the significance of voting in these regions to demonstrate unity and support for the war. Ukraine urges other nations not to acknowledge the vote, warning that participation in organizing the election could result in criminal liability.
Local election commissions have reportedly been coercing residents to vote, while Moscow-appointed authorities threaten public sector workers with dismissal if they fail to vote. Activists argue that these elections are a mockery, conducted under the constant threat of violence and lacking any semblance of democracy.
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- Russia votes in occupied Ukraine; Kyiv says illegal economictimes.indiatimes.com
