BRUSSELS

The EU denounced on Monday “sham” elections held by Russian authorities in Ukrainian territories, and rejected to recognize the results of the “illegitimate” votes.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in a statement “strongly” condemned the “illegitimate so-called ‘elections’ in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol and in parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine.”

Borrell rejected Russia’s “futile attempt” to “normalize its illegal military control and attempted annexation of parts of Ukrainian territories,” and stressed that the EU will never recognize these the vote.

According to the EU, the elections took place amid “widespread and systematic violations and abuses of human rights as well as intimidation and increasing repression of Ukrainian citizens.”

Borrell, however, commended the “courage of the Ukrainian residents who opposed the sham voting and continue to resist the Russian occupation.”

The EU calls on Moscow to “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw” from Ukraine’s territory, he added.

Regional and municipal elections were held across Russia and illegally annexed regions of Ukraine on Sept. 6-8.

According to Russian state media, President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party won over 70% of the vote in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, which were annexed last year.