Illegal elections: What is behind European Union's double policy?

“Russia’s attempt to organise fake elections in the illegally occupied areas of Ukraine cannot replace the reality of the brutality of the war. EU strongly condemns the illegitimate elections that are a blatant violation of the international law.”

European Council President Charles Michel made the remarks on September 11 on the so-called "elections" held in the occupied territory of Ukraine. A perfectly fair statement, and a principled position that deserves respect. The so-called LNR and DNR are illegal separatist entities in the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine. And Crimea is also Ukraine, no matter what anyone says.  

In parallel, here’s how the European Union reacted to the similar illegal elections but now in Khankendi.

"In connection with the holding of the so-called ‘presidential elections’ in Khankendi/Stepanakert on September 9, 2023, the European Union reiterates that it does not recognise the constitutional and legal framework within which they were held. At the same time, the EU believes that it is important for Garabagh Armenians to consolidate around a de facto leadership that is able and willing to engage in result-oriented discussions with Baku". Brussels assured of its readiness to "support this process".

The tone of this statement is entirely different and there are no appeals to what is called "international law". In comparison to the remarks made about the “elections” in the occupied territory of Ukraine, the wording here is more evasive. Besides, when it comes to Ukraine, the EU is not calling on the Russian-speaking population of eastern Ukraine to unite around the new de facto leadership.

 It is beside the point that in the fraudulent "elections" in Khankendi, Armenians did not have much to choose from: there was only one candidate for "president", who won.

Still, Brussels is ready to support the process of consolidation of Armenians around the "de facto leadership". There is nothing to see here but the old "double standards", the presence of which is explained only by the religious sympathies of the European Union. There are no other explanations as everything is clear as day.

I will say more: even in the case of Ukraine, not everything is so clear-cut. Well, yes, sanctions were imposed on Russia for its aggression against Ukraine. However, everything is limited to the level of pressure that does not harm, in fact, the European economy. And the mentioned "European economy" is not one of the EU as a whole but of its main players.

France and Germany. Moreover, even Latvia exported more than 65 million euros worth of whiskey to Russia in the last six months (as of August 2023).

In short, if the West really wanted Ukraine to win, there would be no sanctions against Russia at all. Instead, there would be a full-fledged blockade. A complete one. Plus, closed skies and massive supplies of modern weapons. That's the whole story.

And what is happening in Ukraine now is a cynical and very sneaky game. Grinding Russia's military and economic potential against Ukraine at the expense of the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, at the expense of the lives of Ukrainian civilians. On the side of Ukraine, by and large, there is no one but its Armed Forces. On which all hopes should be pinned.

As the practice of the 44-day war shows, the enemy is not driven away with papers, it can only be convinced by force of arms. If you expand the enemy's graveyard, they start to be accommodating. If you negotiate, you give them time to regroup.

That is what we have done, and I will say more: we are proud of what we have done and we are not against repeating it. Azerbaijan will put an end to the “grey zones” and illegal “elections” on its territory.

Practice shows that only military force is the highest manifestation of international law. Military force and the ability to draw conclusions from everything we have heard, read and seen. Yes, we have carefully familiarised ourselves with the reaction of the European Union to the illegal elections both in south-eastern Ukraine and in Khankendi. We see the difference in both approaches and attitudes, and we know very well which side the EU is playing on.

We will definitely draw conclusions, because time has changed us a lot: if earlier, before the victory, we were happy if the third side remained neutral regarding the war with Armenia, now we ask ourselves another question: why do not they stand with us? We ask the question and, as I said above, we draw conclusions.

To begin with, we can curtail cooperation with European cultural foundations. Take a closer look at what kind of culture they sponsor in Azerbaijan, to whom exactly and for what the money goes. I think it's a great idea, it's good for a start, and then we'll see. Why aren't you on our side?