Protest demonstrations against illegal “pseudo-elections” in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories took place in the West

On September 9–10, demonstrations by Ukrainians and concerned citizens took place in Stockholm, Rome, Paris, and Lisbon to protest the illegal holding of “pseudo-elections” in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. At the same time, on Ukrainian lands, Russians were conducting a “final vote” for representatives of the occupation authorities.

Activists took to the streets and squares of European cities to once again draw the attention of governments to the crimes committed by Russia.

Read also: Legitimizing “Pseudo-Elections”: How the West Turns a Blind Eye to Russian Crimes

The demonstrations were organized by UCBSS partner organizations in the West: Nordic Ukraine Forum, the Union of Ukrainians in Portugal, the Association of Ukrainians in France, and the Christian Society of Ukrainians in Italy.

Demonstration protesting the holding of “pseudo-elections” in Stockholm, Sweden. Source – Nordic Ukraine Forum

What is happening now in the occupied territories of a sovereign state is a direct violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which is meant to protect the rights of people under occupation. Threats with weapons, reprisals for refusing to vote, and coercion to go to polling stations have nothing in common with democracy—the illusion of which the Russian Federation is trying to present to the world.

Demonstration protesting the illegal holding of “pseudo-elections” in Rome, Italy.
Source – Christian Society of Ukrainians in Italy.

This is yet another precedent confirming that Russia is a terrorist state and must be recognized as such in the West, and that representatives of governments, politicians, and public figures who illegally visited the temporarily occupied territories—thereby legitimizing the illegal occupation—must be held accountable.

We express our gratitude for the photos from the demonstration to: Olha Androsova