UK, Canada and 3 Other Countries Denounce 'Sham Elections' Held by Russia in Occupied Ukraine

Five countries, including the United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, have strongly condemned Russia, calling the parliamentary elections held in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine "sham elections."

In a joint statement issued on the 21st (local time), the five nations pointed out that "holding Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) elections in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory is a serious violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and the United Nations Charter."

They added, "These sham elections are part of a broader occupation regime aimed at imposing Russian administration, law, media, education, language, and citizenship," noting that "there are reports of the disappearance, detention, and torture of thousands of Ukrainian citizens."

Furthermore, they stated, "Holding sham elections does not change the status of these territories under international law," and urged the international community "to reject Russia's attempts to normalize the occupation and to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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