EU says sham ‘referenda’ in occupied Ukrainian territories will never be recognised

The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms the illegal sham “referenda” conducted in parts of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine currently and partially occupied by Russia, EU High Representative Josep Borrell said after these so-called “referenda” were completed.

“The EU does not and will never recognise these illegal “referenda” and their falsified outcome, nor any decision taken on the basis of this outcome, and urges all Members of the United Nations to do the same,” said Borrell. “Their outcome is null and void and cannot produce any legal effect whatsoever.”

Borrell added that additional restrictive measures against Russia would be brought forward in this regard.

The EU also commended the courage of the Ukrainian residents who opposed the “referenda” and continue to resist the Russian occupation.

Find out more

Press release