Joint Statement from the Prime Minister of Latvia (acting Minister of Foreign Affairs) and Council of Europe President of the Committee of Ministers, Krišjānis Kariņš, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Tiny Kox, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić:
"We strongly condemn the illegitimate sham "elections" that took place on 8-10 September 2023 in the territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation. Held in flagrant violation of international law, they consitute a further illustration of the denial by the Russian Federation of the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law upheld by the Council of Europe. The Russian authorities' decision to organise them is only the latest in a series of illegal and harmful decisions they have taken since the Russian Federation was expelled from our Organisation as a result of its war of aggression against Ukraine.
These sham "elections" can only be considered as null and void under international law.
We reaffirm our unwavering support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its international recognised borders".
