Ukraine urges global powers to reject Russia's Duma vote in occupied regions

In a statement, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared the State Duma elections conducted by Russia from September 18 to 20 in the occupied Ukrainian territories to be unlawful and without democratic credibility. The ministry emphasized that the vote violates both Ukrainian legislation and international law, and that its outcomes are null and void. It warned that Moscow intends to use the results to justify further aggression and the continuation of war.

Kyiv called on every nation and international organization that respects the UN Charter to refuse recognition of the elections and to intensify pressure on Russia. The statement also reaffirmed that the status of Crimea, Sevastopol and the occupied areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson remains unchanged as integral parts of Ukraine. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas echoed Kyiv’s stance, confirming the EU will never acknowledge the elections as legitimate.