Sham referenda do not reflect will of Ukrainians – Blinken

“To be clear: the results were orchestrated in Moscow and do not reflect the will of the people of Ukraine,” Blinken said.

“The United States does not, and will never, recognize the legitimacy or outcome of these sham referenda or Russia’s purported annexation of Ukrainian territory,” the U.S. top diplomat stressed. “This spectacle conducted by Russia’s proxies is illegitimate and violates international law.”

He added that “it is an affront to the principles of international peace and security.”

The chief of U.S. diplomacy noted that Russia had forced much of the population in areas it seized to flee and compelled Ukraine’s citizens that remained to cast ballots at gunpoint, in fear for their safety, and the safety of their loved ones.

“Ukraine’s people have consistently expressed their desire for a free and democratic future.  They want their country to remain independent and sovereign,” Blinken stressed.

“The United States and our allies and partners will continue to assist Ukraine in its fight to defend its territory against Russian aggression.  We wholeheartedly support Ukraine’s unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” the U.S. Secretary of State said.

On September 23-27, Russian occupation administrations in the temporarily captured territories of Ukraine’s Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia regions held sham referenda on these areas’ accession to Russia.

The White House has repeatedly stated that the U.S. will never recognize the outcome of these spectacles.