Press Releases
Holding of “local assembly elections” in regions of Ukraine illegally annexed by Russia
(Statement by Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa)
September 9, 2023
- Russia is conducting “elections” such as “local assembly elections” in the illegally “annexed” regions of Ukraine (Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya, and Autonomous Republic of Crimea).
- Russia’s “annexation” of these regions into its own territory is a clear violation of international law that infringes upon Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is also inconsistent with relevant UN General Assembly resolutions. Japan strongly condemns it as such an act is absolutely unacceptable. It is also totally unacceptable for Russia to conduct such “elections” in these regions on the basis of such an illegal “annexation”.
- Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order, and Japan cannot condone any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force. Japan will continue to strongly urge Russia once again to stop the aggression and withdraw its forces to Russian territory immediately. Japan will coordinate with the international community including the G7 and implement severe sanctions against Russia and provide strong support for Ukraine to realize a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.