REACTIONS TO CRIMEA AND SEVASTOPOL ELECTIONS

EU Position

Regional and local elections were held in the Russian Federation on 10 September. Gubernatorial elections also took place in Sevastopol. The European Union has not recognised the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation and therefore does not recognise the holding of elections in the Crimean peninsula. Anybody elected in the Crimean peninsula claiming to "represent" Crimea and Sevastopol will not be recognised as representatives of those territories, which are Ukrainian. The European Union remains unwavering in its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

Ukraine Position

"Ukraine resolutely condemns the organization of the Russian Federation on September 10, 2017 in the territory of Sevastopol (Autonomous Republic of Crimea), temporarily occupied by it, illegal elections of the "governor" ,"by-election of a deputy of the legislative assembly of Sevastopol", as well as "by-election of deputies of certain municipalities" of this city. We consider such actions by the Kremlin as a continuation of gross violations by the Russian Federation of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We emphasize that any steps aimed at legitimizing the illegal occupation of part of the sovereign territory of Ukraine do not create any legal consequences on the constitutionally assigned status of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol as part of the territory of Ukraine," All persons who participated in the organization of elections will be held accountable. The Foreign Ministry also sent a note of protest to the Russian Federation in connection with these events.

Russian Crimea Position

The head of election commission of the Crimea Mikhail Malyshev has said that the  protest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in connection with elections in the Crimean region  was a usual reaction of Kiev but what is the most important is that  these elections are recognized by the whole country.

Foreign Obsevers

Foreign Observers including former French Senator Aymeri d'Artagnan, Representative of French Citizens Living Abroad Thierry Mariani, former Member of the French National Assembly Nicolas Dhuicq,  Maria Rodriguez-McCain, Slovak Member of the Slovak National Council, Marek Krajčí, have all confirmed that the elections took place in full compliance with democratic rules.

For years, Thierry Mariani has been nurturing close ties to Russia. He has been a National Assembly MP for 20 years and, since 2012, has been representing French citizens living abroad, including those who reside in Russia and Ukraine. Also since 2012, Mariani has been co-chair of the NGO "French-Russian Dialogue Association," which is committed to "strengthening strategic relations" between both nations. On the Russian side, the post of co-chair is held by Vladimir Yakunin, previously - until 2015 - the powerful head of the Russian Railway. For Mariani, Crimea’s reunification with Russia reflected the will of the majority of the Crimean people.

Perspective

The international community will recognize Crimea’s accession in the coming years. For some years, the situation will remain out of the legal framework but, in fact, Crimea is now a part of Russia and it will remain as a part of Russia even if the international community is far from recognizing it