"A total sham, held at gunpoint": EU comments on Witkoff’s statement about Russian referendums in Ukrainian occupied territories

The European Commission has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and stressed that the so-called "referendums" held by Russia in the occupied territories of Ukraine were entirely falsified.

Source: European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Speaking at a briefing in Brussels on 24 March, Hipper reiterated that the European Union stands firmly by Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called the Russian "referendums" a complete fabrication.

"Let me recall the European Council's conclusion from 21 March, where the Council is also reiterating its unwavering support to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity," Hipper stated in response to journalists' requests for a comment on recent controversial remarks made by the US president’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in an interview with Tucker Carlson.

"And the last point [of the EC’s conclusion – ed.] on these referendums, that were a total sham and [conducted] at gunpoint," she added.

Quote: "When it comes to the discussion on peace talks, our position is very clear, and I would like to reiterate two main points. One, the EU's position for peace is that it is for Ukraine to decide the actual conditions, and the second point is nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. 

This shows also, in view of Russia's continuous attacks, that Russia cannot be trusted. We have also seen the attacks over the weekend, including a strike on Kyiv, where three people have died, including a five-year-old child. So this shows that Russia still needs to demonstrate its genuine political will to end its illegal and unprovoked aggression.

Now when it comes to our support, our support is very strong, as we have shown through the different strands, the military, the financial, the humanitarian support, sanctions, the 16 sanction packages, the 17 sanction packages [in preparation – ed.], also the military support plan. We have to support Ukraine right now more than ever, and this is what we will be doing."

Background:

• In an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, effectively recognised the "referendums" that Russia held in the occupied Ukrainian territories in 2022.
• In the same interview, Witkoff claimed that NATO membership for Ukraine was incompatible with a potential peace deal with Russia.
• He also described his visit to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, who presented him with a portrait of Trump.

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