EU for Russian elections: “They were conducted under extraordinary oppression” – “Russian people support Putin” replies Kremlin

The European Union condemned them today Monday (18.03.2024) with the Kremlin however arguing that “the Russian people support the president.” In its communication the EU stresses that the Russian presidential elections “were conducted in an extremely oppressive environment exacerbated by Russia’s illegal offensive war against Ukraine.” As the EU notes in its announcement of the Russian elections, the Russian authorities continued to increase systematic internal repression by fighting opposition politicians, civil society organisations, independent media and other critical voices using repressive legislation and prison sentences with political motives. “The shocking death of opposition politician Alexei Navalni campaigning is yet another sign of accelerated and systematic repression.”, stressed in the EU statement. “The elections were held in an ever shrinking political area, which resulted in a worrying increase in civil and civil rights violations and prevented many candidates from participating, including all those who opposed Russia’s illegal offensive war, deprived Russian voters of a real choice and largely restricted their access to accurate information,” it is then noted. The European Union regrets the decision by the Russian authorities not to call OSCE/ODIHR observers in its elections. “This contradicts Russia’s OSCE commitments and has deprived Russia’s voters and institutions of an impartial and independent assessment of these elections,” it is specifically stated. Elections in occupied territories In addition, the European Union strongly condemns the illegal conduct of so-called ‘elections’ in the territories of Ukraine that Russia has temporarily occupied: the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as in parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizia and the areas of Hersona. In particular it is underlined that ‘the so-called ‘elections’ in these territories represent another manifest violation by Russia of international law, including the United Nations Charter, and independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Referring to the two UNGA resolutions of 12 October 2022 and 27 March 2014, we urge Russia to respect the internationally recognised borders and sovereignty of Ukraine.” The European Union reiterates that it does not recognise and will never recognise the conduct of these so-called ‘elections’ in the territories of Ukraine or their results. In particular it is clear that the elections there “are invalid and cannot produce any legal result. Russia’s political leadership and those involved in their organisation will face the consequences of these illegal actions.” Finally, the EU reiterates its firm support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. “Russia must stop its illegal offensive war against Ukraine and immediately, fully and unconditionally withdraw its military forces and equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine,” the announcement concludes. Action by Kremlin Vladimir Putin’s “striumping” re-election with more than 87% shows that the Russian people support the Russian president, the Kremlin today, rejecting the criticisms of the US, a country that, as the Russian presidency spokesman said, is “on-the-war” with Russia in Ukraine. “This is an excellent result for President Putin (…) and an eloquent confirmation of the support of our country’s population to his president,” Dmitry Peskov said. Putin was elected 87% or 76 million votes, the most one has ever received in post-Soviet Russia, according to official results. Participation rose to 77%, also the largest rate after the dissolution of the USSR. The White House commented that the Russian elections “are obviously neither free, nor fair” after Putin imprisoned political opponents and prevented others from running. “We strongly disagree with this US assessment. Such estimates are expected and predictable, since de facto the US is a country with deep involvement in the war in Ukraine. It is a country that is, in fact, at war with us,” Peskov said. “It’s not a view we’re ready to hear, it’s not even important to us,” he added. If the West wants to talk about illegal Russian elections, that would mean that 87% of Putin’s vote in favour was illegal, which, according to Peskov, would be “a joke”. When asked about the appeals of Russian opposition activists who want the election to be declared illegal, Peskov replied that people like Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of dissident Alexei Navalni, have lost contact with Russia. “There are many people who have completely interrupted their relations with their homeland. The Yulia Navalnaya you mentioned is moving more and more in this direction,” she said. Such people “lose their roots, their ties to the homeland, their understanding of the country and cease to feel their country’s pulse,” he added. Neutral zone The Kremlin suggested today that it considers that the only way to protect Russian territory from Ukrainian attacks is to create a neutral zone that would bring the Russian areas beyond the range of Ukrainian fire. President Putin referred to this possibility in his speech after his re-election Sunday. Speaking to reporters about Ukrainian bombings and drone attacks, Peskov said measures should be taken to protect infrastructure and housing. “This can only be ensured by creating some kind of neutral zone, so that any means used by the enemy to hurt us are out of range,” he added. In his speech, Putin did not rule out the creation “when we deem it appropriate” of such a zone in territories currently controlled by Ukraine. It did not give more clarification, saying only that it should be large enough that foreign weapons systems cannot harm Russian territory. This comment was made while answering the question whether it considers it necessary for Russia to occupy the region of Harkov, which borders Belgorod. Russian forces attempted to seize this area in February 2022 but were repelled by the Ukrainian counterattack, in September of the same year.