Latvian president slams 'illegal' referendums in occupied Ukraine

Planned votes to justify Russian annexation will 'change nothing,' says Levits

20220921N Latvia Egils Levits

Latvian President Egils Levits speaks with Nikkei in New York on Sept. 20. (Photo by Hiona Shiraiwa)

HIONA SHIRAIWA, Nikkei staff writer

NEW YORK -- The referendums planned in areas of Ukraine under Russian control are "fake" ballots that lack legitimacy and would change nothing on the ground, Latvian President Egils Levits told Nikkei in an interview.

"The decision to annex parts of another country is illegal and ... null and void," said Levits, speaking Tuesday in New York. "Therefore, [Ukraine's] territories will never be part of Russia."

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