Salome Zourabichvili, the President of Georgia, spoke about the referendums that Russia started on September 23 to acquire four areas of Ukraine that are now under occupation and stressed the need to condemn the referendums categorically.

The President emphasized, "Because we know what referendums mean when they are held in occupied territory, in situations of war, what they signify, and what they may be." President Zourabichvili emphasized that this is incredibly cynical conduct by Russia, which is unacceptable for us, the world, and civilized people.

The international community and Kyiv quickly denounced the four-day referendum as a fraud. It took place in the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.

Armed gangs were allegedly pressuring people into voting. Individuals were reportedly barred from leaving some occupied locations until after the vote.

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