Poland Declared Russia’s “Elections” in Crimea Illegal

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared the elections organised and held by the occupying Russian authorities in Crimea on 13 September to be illegal. The Polish Foreign Ministry press service reports about it.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland does not recognise the results of illegal “elections” to the so-called “local governments,” organised by the Russian Federation authorities in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in Ukraine on 13 September 2020. “Both the Sevastopol governor election, as well as voting for candidates for the so-called State Council of the Republic of Crimea, the legislative assembly of Simferopol city and village council of Rozdolne district, were illegal,” the Polish Foreign Ministry said.

They also stressed that such a position directly stems from Poland’s commitments as a UN member state. According to UN General Assembly Resolution 68/262 as of 27 March 2014, the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation in March 2014 is a clear violation of international law. According to this resolution, any action by the Russian authorities in this part of Ukraine occupied by Russian troops is illegal.

Polish diplomats also noted that Poland continues to support Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

To recap, the so-called “the Sevastopol governor elections” and “deputies’ by-elections” to so-called “State council of the Republic of Crimea” and “Simferopol local council” took place on 13 September in the annexed Crimea. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called on the world community to expand sanctions against Russia. The Foreign Ministry strongly protested and condemned the illegitimate organisation and holding of so-called “elections.”

Bohdan Marusyak