Poland Condemns Russia’s Pseudo-Elections In Ukraine’s Occupied Territories

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Poland has strongly criticized Russia for holding what it calls illegal "elections" in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories. This condemnation comes in an official declaration issued by the Polish Foreign Ministry, reported by UATV English. The ministry emphasizes that these elections contravene Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and violate international law.

The specific regions under scrutiny are the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, as well as the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol.

In their statement, the Polish Foreign Ministry reaffirms that Russia's actions are deemed illegal. They reference the UN General Assembly's resolution ES-11/4, adopted on October 12, 2022, which condemned Russia's illegal pseudo-referendums and the attempted annexation of Ukrainian territories. This resolution was supported by 143 states.

Poland stresses that the elections organized by Russian forces are devoid of any legal standing and cannot justify an annexation of Ukraine's occupied territories. The ministry urges Russia to adhere to international law, cease its unlawful actions, and withdraw its troops from Ukrainian soil.

Furthermore, Poland condemns the organization of elections in Transnistria, Tskhinvali/South Ossetia, and Abkhazia without the approval of the official authorities of Moldova and Georgia. These elections, too, are deemed unlawful and in breach of international legal and democratic standards. The Polish Foreign Ministry echoes the call made by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, to impose sanctions on individuals involved in facilitating these so-called elections in Ukraine's occupied territories. Kallas emphasizes that these elections are a further blow to democracy.