NATO and EU: Russian elections 'will not be democratic or fair'

NATO and the European Union consider the presidential elections that begin Friday in Russia to be unconstitutional, according to officials from the two institutions.

In a press conference on Thursday, NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg stated that 'elections in Russia will not be free or fair.'

Stoltenberg added that for elections to be free, there must be 'pluralism and multiple candidates' lists, open debate, and a free and independent press, which he claims is lacking in Russia.

On the other hand, a spokesperson for the European Union's diplomatic service considered it 'extremely difficult to regard these elections as fair, free, and democratic' and that they provide 'no real choice for Russian voters.'

However, he emphasized that the decision to recognize these elections, which last for three days until Sunday, rests with the 27 member states of the European Union.

Furthermore, the European Union and NATO condemned the conduct of these elections in the territories occupied by Russia in Ukraine and described them as 'illegal.'

The spokesperson added: ''I can say now that the European Union will not recognize the outcome of these elections in those areas."

AFP