Indonesian Govt urges citizens in Russia, Ukraine to remain vigilant

Five nations – the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway – have strongly condemned Russia's State Duma elections held in parts of Ukraine that Russia currently occupies. In a joint statement released on September 21, 2026, the five countries asserted that these elections violated Ukraine's sovereignty and independence.

The elections took place in Crimea, as well as the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions. The joint statement labeled the elections as "gross violations" of Ukraine's sovereignty and independence, and as contravening the UN Charter. The statement also alleged that the elections were part of a broader system of occupation, involving the imposition of Russian administration, law, media, education, language, and citizenship.

The countries further reported instances of enforced disappearance, detention, and torture of thousands of Ukrainian citizens. The statement emphasized that these regions remain part of Ukraine, and that holding sham elections cannot alter this. The five nations called for the international community to reject Russia's attempts to normalize its occupation and condemned the elections held in Ukrainian territory.

They urged those involved in organizing the elections to be held accountable, and urged other countries to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The governments also called for Russia to cease its war against Ukraine and agree to a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire, emphasizing that borders must never be redrawn by force.