The 2026 undemocratic elections to the Russian State Duma and its implications on civil society
The European Parliament adopted by 482 votes to 41, with 39 abstentions, a resolution on the 2026 undemocratic elections to the Russian State Duma and their implications for civil society.
The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew, Greens/EFA groups and Members.
‘Fake’ elections
Parliament deplored the fact that the ‘fake’ elections to the Russian State Duma held from 18 to 20 September 2026 were neither free nor fair, violated fundamental international electoral standards, lacked democratic legitimacy and were a complete sham orchestrated under repression, thereby depriving citizens of their constitutional right to a free and democratic vote. It deplored the fact that the Russian opposition, civil society and independent media have been brutally suppressed and that critics of the regime have been imprisoned, murdered or forced into exile.
The resolution denounced all electoral violations committed by the regime of Vladimir Putin during the Russian legislative elections of 18 to 20 September 2026, as well as the preceding long-standing and intentional destruction of any remnants of democracy in Russia.
Parliament underlined that Russia’s fake elections were held in a climate of fear and intimidation and against the background of an illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. It concluded that the elections were illegitimate and undemocratic. It condemned the fact that so-called elections were conducted in Crimea and in parts of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions that are temporarily occupied by Russia.
Non-recognition of the state
Parliament refuses to recognise the Russian State Duma as the legitimate representative and legislative body of the Russian Federation and refuses to recognise any legal or political consequences deriving from the illegal organisation of so-called elections by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
The resolution called on the Council and the Member States to adopt the same position of non-recognition. It called for the EU institutions and Member States to refrain from any official contact with the newly constituted State Duma and its members, to oppose their participation in interparliamentary assemblies, and to consider null any act of this State Duma purporting to legislate for, annex or ratify the status of temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory.
Parliament reiterated its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders; demands that Russia and its proxy forces immediately, completely and unconditionally terminate all military action in Ukraine, cease all attacks against residential areas and civilian infrastructure, withdraw all military forces, proxies and military equipment from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine, and release and return all prisoners of war, political detainees, kidnapped children and civilians.
Restrictive measures and sanctions
The resolution welcomed the Council’s adoption of restrictive measures against 10 individuals for supporting the systematic and institutionalised repression of democratic opposition and for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Russia. Member States are called on to introduce extensive EU restrictive measures against further individuals and entities involved in political persecution and Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.
In addition, Parliament urged the adoption of targeted EU sanctions against judges, prosecutors, Rosfinmonitoring officials, and operatives involved in repression, including transnational repression.
No normalisation of EU relations with Russia
Lastly, Parliament reaffirmed that relations with Russia cannot be normalised without a just and lasting peace for Ukraine based on full territorial integrity, the complete withdrawal of Russian troops, the release of all prisoners of war, detained civilians and forcibly deported Ukrainian children, Russia’s payment of full reparations and compensation to Ukraine and the establishment of full accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine, an end to internal political repression, the restoration of the rule of law and full respect for international law. It called for the political and diplomatic isolation of the Russian regime for as long as necessary, including through coordinated efforts to exclude its representatives from key international forums and prevent any normalisation of Russia’s participation in international sporting and cultural events.