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Poland condemns Russia’s fake polls in occupied Ukraine

10.09.2023 12:00
Warsaw will not recognise the Russian pseudo-elections taking place in the occupied territories of Ukraine, the foreign minister declared on Saturday.
A woman casts her ballot at a polling station during the local elections in Russian-controlled Donetsk, Ukraine, 09 September 2023. Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 08 September released a statement saying that the so-called elections in the temporarily occupied territories are null and void. Elections of various levels are held in Russia
A woman casts her ballot at a polling station during the local elections in Russian-controlled Donetsk, Ukraine, 09 September 2023. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 08 September released a statement saying that the 'so-called elections in the temporarily occupied territories are null and void'. Elections of various levels are held in Russia Photo: STRINGER PAP/EPA

"Russia’s sham elections in the occupied [Ukrainian] territories are yet another attempt to incorporate four regions into Russia and deliberate genocidal policy of deukrainisation”, Zbigniew Rau wrote on X.

“We will not let it happen. The elections are illegitimate and Poland will not recognise them. Together with our allies we will support Ukraine as long as it takes”, Rau added.

On Sunday, the so-called parliamentary and regional elections are taking place in Russia and in the occupied territories of Ukraine. In some areas, including the occupied Kherson region voting began several days earlier, the Ukrinform agency has reported.

Ukraine regards active participation in Russian "elections" in the occupied territories as a manifestation of collusion and treason. "Candidates" and "members of election commissions" face criminal prosecution,” according to the Euronews website.

The Ukrainian authorities, however, do not plan to punish people for voting in the pseudo-elections as they understands that the Kremlin demands to ensure maximum turnout by any means.

During early voting, election commission officials went door-to-door accompanied by Russian military personnel, Euronews wrote.

The EU and the USA condemned Moscow's actions, calling them "another gross violation of international law".

(mo)

Source: PAP, Euronews