France not to recognize Russian elections held in occupied Ukrainian territories

France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has announced it will not acknowledge the recent "elections" held in Ukrainian territories that Russia has temporarily occupied. In a statement, the ministry condemned the elections as a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. France emphasized that the conditions surrounding the Russian elections did not permit Russians to freely choose their leaders.

The ministry noted the ongoing repression of civil society and opposition groups in Russia, the exclusion of several political parties, and the tightening of freedom of speech and independent media. The French government also highlighted the ongoing aggression Russia has been waging against Ukraine for over four and a half years, threatening the wellbeing of its citizens.

Additionally, France strongly condemned Russia's decision to open polling stations in occupied separatist regions of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Moldova's Transnistria without the consent of the Georgian and Moldovan authorities. France welcomed the U.S. Congress's approval of the Lindsey Graham Act on September 16, which demonstrates strong support for Ukraine and a warning to Russia and its financiers.

Paris reaffirmed its commitment to close coordination with Washington on support for Ukraine, sanctions implementation, and efforts to counter sanctions evasion. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, echoed France's stance, stating that the EU would never recognize Russian "elections" held in occupied Ukrainian territories.