DISINFO: Russia have the right to hold elections in former Ukrainian regions
SUMMARY
It is possible to hold a presidential election in the four formerly Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson, which last year overwhelmingly voted to join Russia as federal subjects.
RESPONSE
The claim is part of an ongoing pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign concerning Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
The so called 'referendums', which are in a clear violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, were held illegally, under duress, and on territories over which Russia only has partial military control. This is an attempt to cast a veil of legitimacy over Russia’s illegal occupation.
The results of these 'sham polls' have been universally rejected by leading international and human rights organisations, including the United Nations, the OSCE, NATO, as well as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
On the EU's behalf, High Representative Josep Borrell said the following:
“The European Union strongly condemns these planned illegal “referenda” which go against the legal and democratically elected Ukrainian authorities, are in violation of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in blatant breach of international law. The results of such actions will be null and void and would not be recognised by the EU and its Member States. [...]
Therefore, these illegal “votes” cannot be considered under any circumstance as the free expression of the will of the people living in these regions under constant Russian military threat and intimidation."
See similar cases: New Russian regions Zaporizhzhia and Kherson elect deputies for the first time and Four Ukrainian regions voted to join Russia in public referendums.