Statement by the Spokesperson on the non-recognition of Russian local elections in the Crimean peninsula

Local and regional elections were held in the Russian Federation on 8 September and in the Crimean peninsula. The European Union does not recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, and continues to condemn this violation of international law. Therefore, the European Union does not recognise the holding of elections in the Crimean peninsula. Anybody elected in the Crimean peninsula claiming to “represent” the populations of Crimea and Sevastopol will not be recognised as representatives of those territories, which are Ukrainian.

The European Union remains unwavering in its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine