DISINFO: Donbas referendums prove that Russia respects international law
SUMMARY
The referendums in the LPR, DPR, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions on joining Russia are a direct confirmation that Moscow respects international law. This distinguishes the Kremlin from the West, which has no respect for global laws, as demonstrated by the attacks of the US and NATO on other countries. Putin, as a real role model, feels he cannot act outside the framework of international law, although his beliefs could destroy Russia, because nobody in the Western world cares about international law.
RESPONSE
The article promotes a pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative addressing the invasion of Ukraine, aiming to justify Putin’s blatant disregard of international law, while trying to discredit the collective West’s efforts to safeguard fundamental freedoms and human rights of the people living in the occupied areas under constant Russian military threat.
The referenda held by the Kremlin directly violated the Constitution of Ukraine. The latter states that the procedure and organisation for conducting referenda are “determined exclusively by the laws of Ukraine” (Article 92). Putin’s referenda are staged to imitate a genuine plebiscite and a deceptive pursuit of self-determination of Ukrainians living in the occupied regions. In reality, the referenda will serve as Putin’s prelude to the annexation of these regions and have the potential to drastically escalate the war.
See the response from the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in which he stated that the annexation votes will be denounced as illegal by the EU. He clarified that Putin’s intentions to annex territories occupied by force since February 2022 and to hold sham referenda will not change their legal status, and they will be internationally recognised as integral territories of Ukraine.
Such referenda are considered illegitimate by Ukrainian and international law. Article 4 of the UN Charter reads:
"All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations."
UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned Russia annexation plans saying, “The Charter is clear. Any annexation of a State’s territory by another State resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the Principles of the UN Charter and international law… Any decision to proceed with the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine would have no legal value and deserves to be condemned”.
Find other articles promoting disinformation narratives on the annexation and referendums in Ukraine, such as Luhansk and Donetsk declared referendum after referendum, Crimea joined Russia after the bloody US-coup in Ukraine, or Kherson residents want to join Russia, not Ukraine.