Ukraine’s Western partners promise never to recognize Russia’s annexation of part of Ukraine’s occupied territories.
Russia’s plans to hold a so-called “referendum” in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine are seen in the West as an affront to the Putin regime.
USA
The United States will never recognize Russia’s annexation of part of Ukraine’s occupied territories and will make Moscow pay the price if it tries to do so, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said.
“These ‘referendums’ are a disregard for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that lay the foundation of the international order and underlie the UN Charter. We know that these ‘referendums’ are full of manipulation and Russia will use them as an excuse to annex territory – now or in the future”, he added.
“Let me be clear: if this really happens, the United States will never recognize the claims of the Russian Federation to the territories it will try to annex. And we will never recognize these territories as anything other than Ukrainian territory, ” emphasized Sullivan.
Biden’s national security adviser stressed that the “referendum” would not give Russia an advantage at the negotiating table in Ukraine: “On the contrary: this is the action of one country. failed – the militarye and diplomatice“.
NATO
“The pseudo-referendums are illegitimate and do not change the nature of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This is a further development in Putin’s war. The international community must condemn such blatant violation in international law and increase support for Ukraine,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
EU
The European Union believes that the Russian State Duma’s introduction of criminal liability, which is more appropriate during a full-scale war, as well as the holding of so-called “referendums” in the occupied Ukrainian territories, is a sign of “Kremlin’s ” nerves” because of failures on the front.
“For me, it means nervousness in Moscow, I think, because of the backlash on the front. Regarding the referendum, it’s been up in the air for a couple of weeks now, and in the end they’re going to try to do it, trying to achieve the at least with some success, that it won’t necessarily be legal. That’s how I understand it,” said a senior European official from New York.
As for the announcement of possible sanctions for the Russian Federation, as well as the subsequent military assistance for Ukraine, the official said that the EU “continues to cooperate with the US, Britain, Japan and others.” “I don’t expect announcements here in New York, but there will be a meeting of the European Council in October where there will be progress on both sanctions and military support,” he added.
France
“This is another provocation that, in our opinion, has no consequences for our position: Russia must withdraw from the territory of Ukraine and respect the recognized borders,” said French President Emmanuel Macron.
“Organizing referenda in bombed areas where people are forced to flee is a sign of cynicism,” he added.
Germany
“It is clear that these fake referendums cannot be accepted,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters in New York.
He stressed that “international law and agreements reached by the international community” do not apply to them.
Poland and the Baltic States
Polish President Andrzej Duda called the pseudo-referendums planned by the occupiers in the occupied territories of Ukraine pointless.
“The Poles, especially the old ones, do not need to say what they are worth. They are worthless. The truth is that the result is determined in the Kremlin, not by voting. It does not matter who voted. From from a democratic point of view, this is a mockery, and this is our approach. I hope that in the international sphere no one will give importance to this, because there is no confidence in these results,” said Duda.
The President of Poland stressed that at every meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, he raises the issue of Ukraine.
“I am always in contact with President Volodymyr Zelensky. I shared my observations and knowledge, and also spoke about the expectations in our part of Europe and how this Russian aggression will end. I said that it means is the withdrawal of Russian troops and the return of Ukraine to internationally recognized borders. This is a condition for us in Europe to feel calm, considering the experience of the Second World War,” he added.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that the intention of the Russian Federation to hold pseudo-referendums in the occupied territories of Ukraine will have the opposite effect for Russia.
“The occupier scenario in action. As Russia promotes fake referendums in the occupied territories of Ukraine, let me say this loud and clear: We will never admit it. Ukraine has the right to take back its territory. Donetsk, Lugansk, Crimea are all Ukraine,” Callas wrote on his Twitter.
According to him, Russia is constantly blackmailing and trying to illegally take what does not belong to it.
“Such actions will have the opposite effect and unite our support for Ukraine. More military aid, more sanctions against the aggressor, bringing Russia to justice for crimes,” Kaya Kallas is convinced.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.