Ukraine is closely following the intentions of the Russian Federation to conduct the so-called “referendums” in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, reads the statement of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Such fake plebiscites will not have any legal consequences. They will not change the administrative-territorial structure and internationally recognized borders of Ukraine.

Ukraine and the international community do not recognize these referendums, considering them illegitimate and without legal consequences.

We consider the intention to hold pseudo-referendums and the forced passportization of residents of the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories as another attempt by Russia to legitimize the consequences of its war of aggression against Ukraine.

No matter how many illegitimate polls the Russian Federation holds in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, there will be only one result: all Ukrainian regions will be freed from Russian occupation, and the Russian leadership will be brought to justice for organized terror, war crimes and crimes against humanity on Ukrainian soil.

Persons involved in the organization and holding of pseudo-referendums will be subject to criminal proceedings, and the competent authorities of Ukraine will take measures to track them down and bring them to justice. Ukraine calls on international partners to strongly condemn the intention of the Russian Federation to hold an illegal vote in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, impose new sanctions on Russia, and recognize it as a state sponsor of terrorism.