Georgian president condemns “referenda” in occupied parts of Ukraine on joining Russia

Georgian president Salome Zourabichvili on Tuesday condemned the “referenda” organised by de facto authorities in the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine on the areas joining Russia.

In her remarks over the matter, Zourabichvili stressed the move was an “extremely cynical” action on the part of Russia, calling the holding of the referenda “completely unacceptable for civilised people”.

We must categorically condemn the referenda that are taking place in eastern Ukraine. We know what referenda mean in an occupied territory - and, in this [case], in the conditions of war”, she noted.

“This is an extremely cynical action of Russia, which is completely unacceptable to us, to the world, to civilised people”, Zourabichvili said.

Four Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine on Friday began voting in referenda on joining Russia. The votes, which are illegal under international law, have been dismissed as a “sham” by Western governments and Kyiv.