Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom condemned Russia's holding of State Duma elections in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories, including Crimea and Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia, in a joint statement published on 21 September 2026. The statement, issued through the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, described the votes as a gross violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and independence and of the UN Charter.

The signatories said the elections are part of a wider system of occupation, citing the imposition of Russian administration, law, media, education, language and citizenship backed by coercion and repression. They referred to reports of the enforced disappearance, detention and torture of thousands of Ukrainian citizens. The statement said the regions are part of Ukraine and that holding such elections cannot alter the status of the territories under international law.

The five countries called on the international community to reject Russia's attempts to normalise the occupation and to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. They also urged Russia to end its war of aggression and agree to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, stating that borders must never be redrawn by force.