in response to the annexation of 4 regions of Ukraine, the Ministries of foreign affairs of 13 states published a Joint statement on sham referendums organized by the Russian Federation in the occupied territories of Ukraine. The statement was signed by representatives of Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Czech Republic, Spain, Romania, France, Slovakia, Germany, Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands.
In their appeal, representatives of foreign committees of states called the war against Ukraine unprovoked and unjust. They again stated that the invasion of the territory of Ukraine is a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and a violation of the Budapest memorandum, in which Russia acted as a guarantor of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The participants in the statement emphasized that the fictitious Russian referendums on the territory of Ukraine are a false pretext for annexation, an excuse for a criminal war, a violation of international law and the UN Charter, to which Putin refers during the "recognition of independence" of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine.
The participants in the statement listed the tools that Russia uses in its illegal activities against Ukrainians: "A process reflecting Russia's approach in Crimea in 2014, combining military presence, violence, forced deportations, disinformation, intimidation, distribution of Russian passports to Ukrainian citizens and fake and illegitimate results".
The statement emphasizes that the referendums, annexation and any results presented by Russia are fake, fabricated, and do not represent the will of the Ukrainian people. 13 countries do not recognize their results, condemn military violence and demand that Russia, Belarus (as a collaborator country) and everyone involved in criminal actions against Ukraine and its people be held accountable.
"Reiterate our strongest condemnation of the ongoing war of aggression Russia against Ukraine, Russia's sham referendums and all officials and collaborators involved in the organization of these referendums in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, and demand that Russia immediately withdraw its forces from within Ukraine's internationally recognized borders and respect Ukraine's territory and sovereignty."
The Joint statement includes a demand to increase sanctions pressure on Russia and its collaborators, increase military/financial/humanitarian/diplomatic support for Ukraine, and continue to isolate Russia/Belarus from international and regional organizations.
"Stand with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people and express our strongest conviction to continue our support to the Ukrainian people and provide them with security assistance to help them defend themselves and their country as they courageously resist Russia's invasion. Commemorate all the victims of Russian aggression in Ukraine – thousands of civilians and defenders of Ukraine. Express solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people," Joint statement.
