SKOPJE /WARSAW /COPENHAGEN, 7 September 2023 – The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pia Kauma and the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Matteo Mecacci, condemn the Russian Federation’s holding of so-called “elections” in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.

Any elections in territories within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders can only be held in line with national legislation and international standards and can only be organized by the legitimate authority mandated by Ukrainian law, the Ukrainian Central Election Commission. The organization of elections in temporarily occupied territories violates the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, which is counter to the fundamental principles of the OSCE, the UN Charter and international law. The results of any such “elections” organized by the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine will have no validity under international law.

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) continues to assist the Ukrainian authorities in preparing for the conduct of elections when voters are able to participate in elections safely and elections can be held in accordance with Ukrainian law and international standards.

Media contacts:

Boni Cvetanovska, OSCE 2023 Chairpersonship of North Macedonia: [email protected] / +436766372643

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR Spokesperson: [email protected] / +48 609 522 266

Nat Parry, Head of Communications and Press: [email protected] / +45 60 10 81 77