The European Union warned Russia on Monday that individuals involved in holding elections in Ukrainian territories that the Kremlin has seized will face “consequences.”
EU warns Russia after ‘illegal’ vote: On Sunday, Moscow announced that the United Russia party, which strongly supports President Vladimir Putin, won municipal elections in Russian-occupied territories.
The 27-nation group said, “We vehemently reject this further futile attempt by Russia to legitimise or normalise its illegal military control and attempted annexation of portions of Ukrainian territories.”
“Those responsible for organising them and the political leadership in Russia will suffer the consequences of their involvement.”
Since Moscow began its all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU has now imposed 11 rounds of previously unheard-of sanctions on it.
Despite not having complete military control over them, the Kremlin asserted last year that it had annexated four eastern and southern territories.
Elections were also held in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
Ukraine and its supporters have denounced the elections as a fraud, and Kyiv’s forces are battling to reclaim the territory they have lost.
“In advance of the presidential elections that are expect to extend Putin’s authority until at least 2030, voters cast their votes as part of municipal elections in Russia.”
His opponents are either in exile or prison, and Moscow has made criticising the country’s involvement in Ukraine illegal and imprisoned hundreds of people for doing so.