The EU officially states it doesn't recognize Russian elections in occupied Crimea
The European Union (EU) doesn't recognize the elections to the State Duma of Russia and local elections in occupied Crimea. Brussels calls on Moscow to abandon illegal annexation of the peninsula.
The EU Delegation to Ukraine reports.
The statement said the EU was disappointed with Russia's decision to limit the size and format of the OSCE/ODIHR international election observation mission.
"The EU takes note of data from independent and reliable sources that have reported serious violations," the document said.
In particular, persecution of opposition politicians, independent media, and journalists intensified before the election, leading to restrictions on Russian voters.
"The EU doesn't and will not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation. That is why the European Union does not recognize the so-called elections that took place in the occupied Crimean peninsula," the statement said.
In addition, Moscow's decision to involve residents of the occupied Donbas in the State Duma elections is contrary to the spirit and goals of the Minsk agreements.
