Despite numerous appeals from the international community to the Russian Federation regarding the great danger of holding fake elections in the territory of Donbas occupied by Russia, unfortunately, Russia took full responsibility and confirmed its participation in the occupation and took direct part in organizing these fake elections.
Of course, as a result of the consultations, we are absolutely sure that these elections will not be recognized by anyone. They do not meet the standards of Ukrainian legislation. They are carried out at the gunpoint of Russian machine guns in the occupied territory. They are categorically inappropriate. Security conditions were not created.
Hence, I instructed the Ukrainian diplomacy to take action. Several events will be initiated already tomorrow. First of all, we are holding a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on Monday in Vienna, where this issue will be put on the agenda out of turn.
We began consultations in the United Nations Security Council in New York with permanent members of the Security Council.
We have ensured that this issue of unlawful holding of the so-called elections was included in the agenda of the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
This issue has also been put on the agenda of the next meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
I would like to emphasize that in the coming hours we are also waiting for the G7 meeting and the reaction of our European Union partners, partners from the United States, Canada and the rest of the world.
Of course, I would like to appeal to those Ukrainians who are now forced to live in the occupied territories. Do not give up your vote! Do not participate in fake elections!
The Russian Federation does this in the traditional manner only to eliminate its previous puppets directly involved in murders, tortures and violations of law.
Today, Russia makes this step only to elect the next puppets already appointed by them.
Ukraine will strongly oppose this. Ukraine will take all measures to return the occupied Donbas and Crimea.
The whole world is with us now, with Ukrainians!
I would like those who now live in the occupied Donbas to hear this as well.
Glory to Ukraine!
https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/zayava-prezidenta-ukrayini-u-zvyazku-iz-provedennyam-fejkovi-50954