PRESS RELEASE : Possible pseudo-referendum in the occupied territories will complicate possible negotiations between Ukraine and Russia – President

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 April 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes that in the event of any pseudo-referendums in the occupied territories they will not be recognized by Ukraine and the world and will complicate possible negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. The President made this statement during a meeting with media representatives following talks with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in Kyiv.

“I believe that it is impossible and will not be possible to annex one or another part of our territories by force,” the President stressed.

He reminded that in the occupied cities Ukrainians protested against the armed Russian occupiers.

“This (pseudo-referendum – ed.) will not bring anything, except that this is another complication of probable, at least some kind of probable negotiations between Ukraine and Russia… It seems to me that this is a complication of any negotiations,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to him, today there are questions of humanitarian aspects to Russia – to unblock people, as well as economic questions related to food security and unblocking sea routes.

“Many questions. If they want to complicate all this for the whole of Europe and the world, they can continue to play with these referendums, which will not yield any results – either current or historical,” the President concluded.