G7 countries not to recognize sham 'referenda' in occupied territories

The Group of Seven (G7) countries will not recognize the pseudo-referendums on the annexation of Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine, which Russia plans to hold from September 23 to 27, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in a statement following a meeting of the G7 foreign ministers at the UN General Assembly in New York Report informs, citing Ukrinform.

"The G7 Foreign Ministers and the High Representative strongly condemned Russia's announcement to conduct sham referenda on sovereign Ukrainian territory, which is temporarily under Russian control. Any referenda held under conditions of Russian military presence, intimidation, and forced deportation cannot be free or fair. Any annexation of Ukrainian territory would be a gross violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and the UN Charter," the statement said.