Explaining complex things in simple words: Russian elections in occupied areas, Putin’s “peace initiatives”, role of volunteer fighters

The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security pursues efforts to provide a brief explanation to foreign audiences on the current topics of particular interest as regards Ukraine.

RUSSIAN “ELECTIONS” IN THE TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

On March 17, the Putin regime holds so-called “elections,” including in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Early “voting” has already begun.

▪ Russian elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are illegal and invalid.

▪ Moscow does not care about the attitude of Ukrainian citizens under occupation towards Putin. The percentage of votes “in favour” will be set at the level decided in the Kremlin.

▪ The so-called “elections” are another tool for conquering invaded territories. Ukrainian citizens are forced to participate in this farce by violence.

▪ Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories actively and passively resist the invaders, being exposed to repression and punitive actions of the enemy special services.

▪ After the so-called “elections,” propaganda will cynically lie about the “high voter turnout” and, of course, “support” for Putin in the temporarily occupied territories. This is another reason why the “re-election” of the dictator cannot be recognized.

PUTIN'S “PEACE INITIATIVES”

On March 13, Putin gave an interview to propagandist Dmitry Kiselev. The dictator once again declared his “readiness for a peaceful settlement.”

▪ Putin did not add anything new to the old “negotiation” rhetoric of the Kremlin. He still insists on the legalization of his invasions.

▪ Moscow's position is unacceptable and cannot serve as a basis for peace negotiations.

▪ Kyiv clearly declared that the war could end only on the basis of the Peace Formula based on international law, and not on the whims of the invader.

▪ Putin's demands for “security guarantees” for Russia actually mean guarantees of impunity and the possibility of continuing aggression.

▪ Putin's “peacemaking” initiatives should not mislead anyone. Moscow is not interested in peace, but in reducing the resistance of Ukrainians and weakening the support of Kyiv's allies.

ROLE OF VOLUNTEER FIGHTERS

March 14 is the Ukrainian Volunteer Day.

▪ Volunteers are people who were not in the military by profession, but at a critical moment, without conscription or coercion, voluntarily “paused” their lives and took up arms to protect the country.

▪ The volunteer movement is a phenomenon of Ukrainian society, our superpower, and pride. Always, in the most difficult times of our history, there were people ready to defend their Motherland.

▪ The army consists of the best. People with outstanding achievements and prospects in civilian life, who postponed business and family, scientific achievements and a successful career, well-established life abroad, voluntarily went to fight.

▪ In 2014, it was thanks to the volunteer battalions that mobilization was conducted, and therefore, in fact, the Ukrainian statehood was saved from destruction.

▪ A new surge in the volunteer movement took place after the full-scale invasion in 2022. Starting from the first hours, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians volunteered to defend their homeland. Tens of thousands have returned from abroad for this purpose.

▪ Foreigners from all over the world joined the Ukrainian fighters who volunteered to defend their state. This is how they stand in solidarity with Ukrainians and their fair fight against the Russian aggressor.

Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security