Poroshenko Condemns Russian Elections in Occupied Ukrainian Regions as a Sham and Urges Global Rejection of Their Legitimacy

Poroshenko's Strong Reaction to Russia's Occupation-Era Elections

According to 5 канал: Ukraine's fifth president, Petro Poroshenko, denounced the recent Russian elections held in territories temporarily occupied by Russia as a sham conducted at gunpoint. He called on the international community to refuse recognition of the election outcomes and to increase pressure on Moscow. These votes took place in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions, and Crimea-areas under Russian control that Poroshenko described as Moscow's attempt to legitimize its ongoing occupation.

'The world has witnessed yet another farce orchestrated by Russia. The so-called elections to the Russian State Duma were again conducted in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories-including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions, and Crimea. These elections hold no legal weight and never can.' Petro Poroshenko

Poroshenko emphasized that the significance of these sham elections lies not in voter turnout or fabricated results, but in Russia's strategic objective. According to him, the Kremlin is not merely maintaining control through military force but is attempting to create an illusion of permanent annexation by integrating these regions into Russia’s political system.

Statements from International Leaders

European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas also condemned the elections, proposing targeted sanctions against those responsible for organizing the Russian State Duma vote in the occupied Ukrainian territories. She highlighted that Russia’s political process is merely a facade of democracy.

'This is Russia’s response to all recent and future diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war. While the democratic world seeks negotiation pathways, Russia continues to expand its aggression through coercion and annexation.' Petro Poroshenko

Poroshenko stressed that the global response must be unequivocal and include:

• refusing to recognize any results of the Russian vote held in occupied Ukrainian regions;
• denying any legal consequences stemming from these elections;
• continuing to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and intensify sanctions against Russia.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has confirmed that these election results lack any legal validity under international law.

Poroshenko's statement underscores the critical need for unified international support for Ukraine amidst ongoing Russian aggression. The call to reject the legitimacy of these fraudulent elections is part of broader efforts by Ukrainian authorities and global partners to prevent the normalization of Russia’s occupation. Given the EU’s and other international bodies' reactions, further sanctions targeting Russia’s actions in Ukraine are anticipated.

As the situation escalates in Ukraine, Poroshenko raises concerns about security in light of Russia's deployment of advanced drone technology. This development underscores the Kremlin's ongoing military strategy, further complicating the geopolitical landscape and highlighting the urgent need for a unified international response.