▲ Rousseff Borrell, Senior Representative for Foreign and Security Policy
Rousseff Borrell, the European Union's high-ranking foreign and security policy representative, declared that the referendum held in the Russian-occupied territory of Ukraine was "illegal" and that the voting results were also falsified.
"The EU condemns Russia's illegal referendum practices and rigged voting results," he tweeted.
"This is another violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity amid systematic human rights violations," he said.
From the 23rd, Russia held a referendum for five days in four regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporiza and Kherson, Ukraine.
The four regional election commissions said the merger with Russia had been approved with an overwhelming 87-99% of votes in favor.
However, as photos and videos of the voting process were confirmed by placing the ballot paper in a transparent, see-through ballot box without folding it, controversy arose over the fact that the result was set and forced to vote in favor.
There are also testimonies from some that armed Russian soldiers pressured the residents to vote in a coercive way.
The West and Ukraine have defined this vote as a 'fake ballot' that goes against international law and foreshadowed strong measures, including additional sanctions against Russia.
(Photo = Getty Images Korea)