Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
  The European Union said that Russia's presidential elections on March 15-17 took place in a highly restrictive environment that was also exacerbated by Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Russian authorities continued to increase systematic internal repression by suppressing opposition politicians, civil society organizations, independent media and other critical voices, using repressive legislation and politically motivated prison sentences. According to a statement issued by European Foreign Policy Coordinator in Brussels, Josep Borrell, which also stated, “The shocking death of opposition politician Alexei Navalny in the period preceding the elections is another sign of accelerating and systematic repression. The elections took place in an ever-shrinking political field, which led to an increase in Alarming violations of civil and political rights, preventing numerous candidates from running in the elections, including all opponents of Russia's illegal war of aggression, denying Russian voters the right to vote. True Choice and significantly limiting their access to accurate information. The European Union will continue to Support the important work of Russian civil society organizations, human rights defenders and independent media.
The European Union regrets the decision of the Russian authorities not to invite observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to its elections. This contradicts Russia's obligations to the OSCE, and deprives Russian voters and institutions of an impartial and independent assessment of these elections.
Moreover, the European Union strongly condemns the illegal holding of so-called “elections” in the Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by Russia: the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as in parts of Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhia. And Kherson regions. The so-called “elections” in these territories represent another clear violation by Russia of international law, including the United Nations Charter, and of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. With reference to the UN General Assembly resolutions of October 12, 2022 and March 27, 2014, we urge Russia to respect Ukraine's internationally recognized borders and sovereignty. The European Union reiterates that it does not and will never recognize the holding of these alleged “elections” on the territory of Ukraine or their results. They are null and void and can produce no legal effect whatsoever. The Russian political leadership and those involved in its organization will face the consequences of these illegal actions.
The European Union reiterates its firm support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Russia must stop its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine.