MFA statement on elections in Russia
20.09.2026
We strongly condemn the illegal elections held by the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, as well as in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Also, Poland forcefully condemns the organisation of voting in Transnistria, Tskhinvali/South Ossetia and Abkhazia without the consent of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, respectively. In these cases as well, the "election" was held unlawfully, in breach of all standards of international law and democracy.
Let us reiterate that on 12 October 2022, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution ES-11/4 “Territorial integrity of Ukraine: defending the principles of the Charter of the United Nations”, in which 143 states unequivocally condemned illegal pseudo-referenda organised by Russia and the attempted illegal annexation.
The actions of the Russian Federation constitute a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders and remain contrary to the fundamental principles of international law and international humanitarian law, including the obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The pseudo-elections organised by the Russian occupier do not cause any legal effects, nor can they serve as a basis for legitimising the attempt to annex the occupied territories.
We call on the Russian Federation to respect international law, cease unlawful actions that violate its international obligations, and withdraw its armed forces from the territory of Ukraine.