European Parliament Urges Non-recognition of Putin’s “Re-election” as Legitimate

In a bold move, the European Parliament has adopted a resolution condemning the conduct of Vladimir Putin’s so-called “re-election” and urging the international community not to consider them legitimate.

The resolution, passed on Thursday with 493 votes, denounces the Russian “elections” as a farce and calls on EU member states and the international community to refrain from recognising the results.

This stance is grounded in the fact that the elections were conducted not only on the occupied territories of Ukraine but were also neither free nor fair within Russia itself.

European lawmakers emphasised that the sole purpose of this charade of electoral process was to legitimise Putin’s continued hold on power, internal repression, and the ongoing war against Ukraine.

Specifically, the resolution expresses regret over Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s departure from the EU’s common stance and his congratulatory message to Putin on his “victory”.

Euro-deputies urge EU countries to limit relations with Putin’s Russia solely to matters necessary for regional security or related to humanitarian goals and human rights protection.

This could include issues such as prisoner exchanges, the release of political prisoners, or the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia.

“Russia is committing genocide against the Ukrainian nation by illegally deporting thousands of Ukrainian children, and it must be punished for it. Talking with European officials, I made sure that they share our pain and supporting,” Ukrainian businesswoman and human rights activist Alona Lebedieva told EU Today.

A European Parliament communique said “Members of the European Parliament call on the EU and its member states to continue actively supporting independent organisations of the Russian civil society, independent media, and human rights defenders, and to actively engage with the Russian democratic opposition and offer support.”

It is worth noting that European Parliament resolutions express its position on a specific issue and do not have binding force.

The European Union, in its official statement, has criticised the Russian “presidential elections” for their numerous restrictions, lack of real opposition participation, and their conduct on the occupied territories of Ukraine.

Image: Philippe STIRNWEISS Copyright: © European Union 2024 – Source : EP

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