Russia is attempting to apply a veneer of legitimacy to its illegal presence in Ukraine: UK statement to the OSCE
Ambassador Neil Holland condemns Russia holding its presidential elections on the sovereign territory of Ukraine.
Thank you, Madam Chair. As we have said countless times in this room, Russia’s assault on Ukraine is an unprovoked, premeditated attack against a sovereign democratic State.
Russia’s aggression began in 2014, when it illegally annexed Crimea. And we have watched Russia’s attempts to land grab further territory since the start of its full-scale invasion two years ago.
Now, in the regions of Ukraine it claims to have annexed, Russia is holding its presidential election against the will of the Ukrainian people. This is another blatant attempt by Russia to apply a veneer of legitimacy to its illegal presence in Ukraine. And this is yet another violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, principles that are fundamental to the Helsinki Final Act, which Russia has torn to shreds.
The UK echoes ODIHR in strongly condemning Russia for holding its presidential election in Ukraine, which is contrary to international law including the UN Charter. To be perfectly clear, these so-called ‘elections’ on the sovereign territory of Ukraine are illegal.
Many of us highlighted last week what 10 years of Russian rule has brought to the people of Crimea, and international reports paint a stark picture of life in the territories temporarily under Russia’s control. Russia and its proxies have committed numerous violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of international human rights law. This includes enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture, forced deportations, and summary executions. Russia has attempted to erase Ukrainian identity and language through forced passportisation and the imposition of Russian law, media, education, and currency. Russia has also taken further steps to manipulate the demographics of these regions through the inward migration of the Russian population. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian population is relentlessly repressed and forced out.
In this environment of fear and intimidation, Ukrainians are now expected to take part in these sham elections. Russia has no legitimate basis for any such action on the territory of Ukraine. Reports of door-to-door visits of armed military forcing residents to vote have already emerged. The UK has been clear, we will never recognise Russia’s attempts to consolidate its illegal control over Ukrainian territory which is in breach of the UN Charter. We will not recognise the results of any sham referendums or elections. Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Crimea are all part of Ukraine. Holding sham elections in these regions will not alter that fact. The UK will continue to speak up for the freedom and democratic will of the people of Ukraine who bravely resist Russian aggression in pursuit of an independent and sovereign Ukraine.
Madam Chair, Russia must follow international law and commitments both within and beyond its borders. The UK does not question Russia’s right to hold presidential elections on its sovereign territory, but Ukraine is not sovereign Russian territory. We echo ODIHR’s concerns regarding Russia’s failure to invite OSCE observers to its elections. This is in breach of the commitments it has made to all of us here.
The only path to peace is if Russia ceases its illegal war, withdraws all of its forces and military equipment from Ukraine, and respects the will of the Ukrainian people for a wholly independent and democratic Ukraine. Thank you.