‘Sham’: New Zealand Refuses to Recognise Russian Referendums in Ukraine Regions

Workers fix a banner reading "Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson—Russia!" on top of a construction installed in front of the State Historical Museum outside Red Square in central Moscow on Sept. 29, 2022. Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images

New Zealand has joined its Western allies in denouncing the “sham” referenda held in four Ukrainian regions to join the Russian Federation.

“These so-called referenda were not free or fair, and they very clearly were not held in accordance with democratic principles,” Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said.

Russian sources have reported that the results of the referenda in the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson showed significant support for leaving Ukraine.

But Mahuta said they were hastily organised “under the threat of force” and called on Russia to immediately cease the invasion of Ukraine and return to diplomatic negotiations to resolve the conflict.

“New Zealand remains in solidarity with Ukraine in defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the rules-based international system,” she said.

“This war which has inflicted immense suffering on Ukraine and displaced millions of its civilians.

“New Zealand also stands firmly against the escalation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including mobilisation of Russian citizens.  Escalation flies in the face of Russia’s lie that they are there to liberate Ukraine.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta speaks during a Labour press conference at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, on Nov. 2, 2020. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Western Allies Denounce ‘Illegitimate’ Referendums

Most western capitals say the move amounts to the de facto “annexation” of the four regions by Russia.

U.S. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the referendums “illegitimate and frankly outrageous” and said the country would “never” recognise the attempts to annex Ukrainian territory.

“We will work with our allies and partners to impose additional economic costs on Russia and individuals and entities inside and outside of Russia that provide support to this action,” she said.

“We will rally global opposition to Russia’s attempts at annexation, including at the United Nations.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Canada would do what it could to make sure the “sham referendums” weren’t endorsed by other countries.

While Trudeau already said stronger sanctions would be announced soon, no further details have been revealed.

Across the ditch, Australia has yet to release a statement, but previously also condemned the referendums as “illegitimate and invalid.”

“They won’t form a lawful basis for any purported acquisition of Ukraine’s territory by Russia and won’t be recognised by the international community,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a Twitter post before the referendums were held.

Zelenskyy thanked various Western leaders for denouncing the referendums as sham.

“Thank you all for your clear and unequivocal support. Thank you all for understanding our position,” he said in a late-night video address on Sept. 28, as reported by Reuters.

“Ukraine cannot and will not tolerate any attempts by Russia to seize any part of our land.”

Ukrainian political advisor Mikhailo Podolyak also indicated that Ukrainians involved in the referendums will face treason charges and at least five years in jail.