NATO: We will not recognize Russia's referendums in Ukraine

2022-09-23 07:53:48Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

NATO: We will not recognize Russia's referendums in Ukraine

The NATO military alliance condemned Moscow's plans to hold so-called referendums in the occupied regions of Ukraine. The alliance on Thursday called on all countries to reject what it described as "clear attempts by Russia to occupy the territory".

"Fake referendums in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions have no legitimacy and will be a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter," NATO said in a statement.

Separatists in these four Ukrainian regions announced on September 20 that so-called referendums on joining Russia will be held from September 23 to 27. "NATO allies will not recognize their illegal annexation. These territories belong to Ukraine," the statement said.

A day after the announcement of plans to hold so-called referendums, Russian President Vladimir Putin supports their holding. The four regions where the votes are scheduled to be held make up about 15 percent of Ukraine's territory.

Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has said his goal is to "liberate" the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbass. 

In 2014, a so-called referendum on union with Russia was held in the Ukrainian Peninsula of Crimea. After the vote, Russia recognized Crimea as part of it, but the international community called the vote rigged and did not recognize the result.


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