UK, ALLIES CONDEMN RUSSIA’S ELECTIONS IN OCCUPIED UKRAINE

The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway have condemned Russia’s decision to hold State Duma elections in territories of Ukraine under Russian control.

The five countries said the elections violated Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence and were contrary to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

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Their position was contained in a joint statement published on Monday, September 21, 2026, by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

According to the statement, Russia held the elections in Crimea as well as the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions.

“Holding Russia’s State Duma elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as Russia did in Crimea and Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia, is a gross violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence, and the UN Charter,” the countries said.

The five governments also described the elections as part of what they characterised as a broader system of Russian occupation.

They alleged that the occupation involved the imposition of Russian administration, laws, media, education, language and citizenship in the affected territories.

“These sham elections are part of a wider system of occupation: the imposition of Russian administration, law, media, education, language and citizenship, backed by coercion and repression,” the statement said.

The countries further cited reports of enforced disappearances, detention and torture involving thousands of Ukrainian citizens.

They stressed that holding elections in the territories would not change their legal status under international law.

“These regions are part of Ukraine and holding sham elections cannot alter the status of these territories under international law. We continue to stand with Ukraine,” they said.

The five governments urged the international community to reject what they described as Russia’s attempts to normalise its occupation of Ukrainian territory.

They also called for those involved in organising the elections to be held accountable.

The countries urged other governments to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

They further called on Russia to end its war against Ukraine and agree to what they described as a “full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.”

“Borders must never be redrawn by force,” the statement said.