The European Union issued a formal statement on Monday addressing the legitimacy concerns surrounding the elections held in Crimea and Sevastopol within the context of the Russian regional voting process, reaffirming its stance on non-recognition of territories annexed by Moscow in 2014.
In its notice, the EU stated that it does not recognize the election process or its aftermath on the peninsula. The EU also rejects the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation as a violation of international law, reiterating that Crimea remains Ukraine. This position was conveyed by the EU External Action Service in a clear, official declaration.
The statement underscores that any political outcome or elected representative from the Crimean peninsula would lack legitimacy and would not be recognized as representing those regions. The EU emphasized that it will continue to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to uphold international borders in line with its policy of non-recognition for the annexed territory.
14 governors re-elected
Over the weekend, fourteen Russian governors secured re-election in local races, with the ruling United Russia party retaining control over the majority of regional legislatures. In several cases, candidates ran as independents while receiving backing from United Russia, illustrating the party’s influence across local government. Across the capital region, United Russia achieved a substantial share, winning more than a thousand of the fourteen hundred municipal seats reported by the Russian news agency TASS.
The electoral results come in the wake of ongoing tensions following the invasion of Ukraine. Critics and opposition figures faced increasing pressure, and some opponents of the military operation ultimately withdrew from the electoral process, limiting competitive choices in certain districts. The broader political environment surrounding these elections reflects the heavy presence of pro-government structures in Russia’s local governance system and the challenges faced by dissenting voices in campaign periods.