ISTANBUL

Georgia on Monday condemned the holding last weekend of Russian presidential elections within regions of Georgia that Moscow has occupied.

“Georgia condemns holding of Russian Presidential elections and illegal opening of the polling stations in Georgia’s occupied regions, aimed at mass engagement of the local population in the Russian electoral process,” Georgia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

In the statement, Georgia characterized the act as a step by Moscow against its own “sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

“The holding of any elections in the occupied territories is considered illegal under the occupation, as attested by the international courts' decisions and under the circumstances, when the forcibly displaced population from the occupied territories continue to be deprived the right to return to their homes.”

Tbilisi also called on Russia to halt actions that undermine Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging it to fulfill its international obligations.

"Georgia appeals to the international community to give a due assessment and reaction to yet another illegal action of the Russian Federation directed towards infringement of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Incumbent Vladimir Putin got 87.28% of the vote in Russia's three-day presidential election, with 100% of ballots counted, the country’s election authority said Monday.

In addition to within Russia, polling stations were also opened in four Ukrainian regions illegally annexed by the country in September 2022 as well as the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow illegally annexed in 2014. Voting also took place in the two breakaway regions of Georgia.

In 2008, a five-day conflict broke out between Georgia and Russia over the breakaway South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions.

Tbilisi ultimately lost control of both regions, which Russia later recognized as independent states.

In response, Georgia cut off diplomatic relations with Russia.

Both regions are still internationally recognized as Georgian territories.