The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, has issued the following statement:
“On behalf of the Congress, I condemn the illegal conduct of so-called elections by the Russian Federation in Ukraine’s Autonomous Republic of Crimea and City of Sebastopol occupied by Russia since 2014. The results of these elections cannot be recognised, just like the elections in Russia itself which are not free and fair ”.
“I reiterate our unwavering commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. Crimea is Ukraine ”.
