Press Releases
Holding of “presidential election” in regions of Ukraine illegally “annexed” by Russia
(Statement by Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko)
March 19, 2024
- Russia conducted “presidential election” in the illegally “annexed” regions of Ukraine (Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol).
- Russia’s “annexation” of these regions to 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 once again strongly condemns it as such an act is absolutely unacceptable. In addition to the "local assembly elections" conducted by Russia last September, it is totally unacceptable that Russia conducts such “elections” in the regions of Ukraine on the basis of illegal “annexation”, as it infringes upon Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- 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 strongly urges Russia once again to cease its aggression and withdraw its forces to Russian territory immediately.
- Based on the recognition that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific are inseparable, Japan has been addressing this issue as its own issue. Japan will continue to work with the international community including the G7 to impose severe sanctions against Russia and provide strong support for Ukraine in order to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible.