Five countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom expressed their condemnation of Russia’s activities in conducting State Duma elections in territories of Ukraine which are occupied by the Russians.
According to the joint statement issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on Sept. 21, the said elections were conducted in Crimea, as well as Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions. The statement further stressed that voting could not affect the status of the territories under international law.
Further, the statement stated that the said election was a component of the occupation regime which forces imposition of Russian administration, law, media, education, language, and citizenship. Reports were also cited in the said statement about thousands of Ukrainian citizens who face the menace of disappearance, detention, and torture.
It has further called on the international community to shun all efforts by Russia to make the occupation normal. Those behind the organization of the elections should be held responsible.
The five governments have reiterated their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In addition, they demanded that Russia end the war and agree on an immediate, unconditional, and comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine.
This is a developing story. The Virginia Times will update you as soon as we have any new information.
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