Georgia condemns Russia for holding 'elections' in its occupied territories

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia condemns the holding of presidential elections of the Russian Federation in the occupied regions of Georgia and the illegal opening of polling stations to mass involvement of the local population," the statement said.

The department noted that this action is a step by the Russian Federation against Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which grossly violates the fundamental principles and norms of international law and completely ignores the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.

Georgia appealed to the international community

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that holding any elections in the occupied regions is illegal under occupation conditions, as established, in particular, by international courts, as well as under conditions where the population expelled from the occupied territories due to ethnic cleansing still cannot return to their homes.

Georgia calls on the international community to give a proper assessment and respond to further illegal actions of Russia in the occupied territories aimed at violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

"Elections" in Russia

In Russia, "elections" were held over three days - from March 15 to 17, 2024.

According to a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate (DIU) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Vadym Skibitskyi, the results of the "elections" were already known in the Kremlin in advance.

More details about the pseudo-elections in the occupation are in the material of RBK-Ukraine "Elections at gunpoint: How Russians force Ukrainians in occupied territories to vote for Putin."

According to the election results, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin supposedly gained 87.8% of the votes.