Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation

09/23/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/23/2022 07:56

Switzerland condemns sham referendums in parts of Ukraine

The referendums currently taking place in Ukrainian territories partially occupied by Russia do not conform with the law and are illegal under international law. The Federal Council condemns this latest violation of Ukrainian sovereignty by Russia and will not recognise the results of any of these sham referendums. President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis clearly stated this position to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in New York on Wednesday. The FDFA also summoned the Russian ambassador yesterday.

A series of sham referendums on joining the Russian Federation are being held by Moscow-backed officials in areas of Ukraine partially occupied by Russia between 23 and 27 September 2022. Under international law, these regions belong to Ukraine - including Crimea.

As an occupying power, Russia is obliged under international law to respect Ukraine's existing legal system and to comply with both human rights and international humanitarian law. Occupying powers may not acquire sovereignty over the territory in question. The current referendums being held in areas of Ukraine partially occupied by Russia are in violation of the Ukrainian constitution, illegal under international law, and do not conform with the law. Switzerland will not recognise the results of any of these sham referendums. President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis clearly stated this position to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in New York on Wednesday. The FDFA also summoned the Russian ambassador yesterday to reiterate this position.

The referendums are the most recent example of Russia's continuing violation of international law in Ukraine since its annexation of Crimea in 2014, particularly the principles of territorial integrity and the sovereignty of states. Russia is also in breach of its international obligations under a number of bilateral and multilateral treaties in contravention of the Helsinki Final Act.

Switzerland has not recognised the independence of the self-proclaimed people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, which Russia recognised as independent states on 23 February 2022. This act was immediately condemned by the Federal Council as contrary to international law and a violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The Federal Council calls on Russia to refrain from holding sham referendums in Ukraine, from accepting the territories' anticipated applications to formally join the Russian Federation and from taking any further steps towards occupation and annexation. With great concern, it is also closely following the Russian move for partial mobilisation, and urges Russia to de-escalate and withdraw completely from Ukrainian territories.

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