Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on illegal annexation by Russia of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia

This is another attempt by Russia to redraw the internationally recognised Ukrainian borders by force and to validate the illegitimate control over the Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, which is a blatant violation of international law, Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, that is why it is null and void, has no legal force and will not be recognised, nor will we ever recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea.

Lithuania as well as the international community does not recognise pseudo “referenda” in the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia since their rigged results that served as a pretext for the Russian annexation do not represent the will of Ukrainian people who are resolute in resisting the Russian occupation.

Lithuania calls on the international community to impose tighter sanctions on Russia for holding illegal pseudo “referenda” on the occupied territories of Ukraine and for their annexation and to bring active participants in this illegal exercise to justice.

We insist that Russia immediately stops its aggression in Ukraine and withdraws its armed forces from the whole Ukrainian territory. Together with our partners, we will continue using every measure to support Ukraine and its people in their fight for freedom and the democratic future of their country.