Ukraine – France condemns Russia’s organization of sham elections on Ukrainian territory (September 8, 2023)

France strongly condemns Russia’s organization of sham elections on Ukrainian territory, and particularly in the autonomous republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol and the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. These supposed elections are devoid of all legitimacy and are being held in territories which Russia is illegally occupying, as emphasized by Resolution A/RES/ES-11/4, adopted with a very large majority by the United Nations General Assembly on 12 October 2022.

France denounces the holding of these pseudo-elections and will not recognize their “results”. It calls on Russia to halt its war of aggression immediately, abandon its imperialist undertaking and withdraw its troops from the whole territory of Ukraine under its internationally recognized borders.

France pays tribute to the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people, who are facing up to Russian attacks every day and suffering the many violations of international law of which Russia is guilty. France is continuing and will continue its support for Ukraine in every area, for as long as it takes.