G7: We will never recognise these sham referenda

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), comprising Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US and the European Union, have strongly condemned the “referenda” organised by Russia in the occupied territories of Ukraine and called on other countries to reject them as well.

The so-called “referenda” are taking place from 23 to 27 September in Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, occupied by Russia.

According to the G7’s statement, with these “sham referenda” Russia is trying “to create a phony pretext for changing the status of Ukrainian sovereign territory, which is subject to an ongoing Russian aggression”. 

The G7 leaders remind that these actions clearly breach the United Nations Charter and international law and have no legal effect or legitimacy. 

“These referenda in areas that have been forcibly put under Russia’s temporary control in no way represent a legitimate expression of the will of the Ukrainian people, who have consistently resisted Russian efforts to change borders by force. We will never recognise these referenda which appear to be a step toward Russian annexation and we will never recognise a purported annexation if it occurs,” says the statement. 

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Press release