Stoltenberg: False referenda in Ukraine are an open violation of international law

The false referendums held by Russia have no legitimacy and are an open violation of international law. These lands are Ukraine”, wrote the chief of NATO on Twitter.

Stoltenberg said he had just spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with whom “made it clear that NATO allies are steadfast in supporting their sovereignty and the right of Ukraine to self-defense”.

Meanwhile, according to the Russian news agency RIA, the majority of citizens living in Ukraine's occupied regions have voted “pro” joining Russia.

The so-called referenda have been held in four regions of Ukraine that are currently under Russia's control in an effort to legitimise their actions in occupied areas. Both West and Ukraine have named voting as invalid, while failing to attempt reports that Ukrainians are actually voting blackmailed for living or even under gun threat.