Russian Ambassador to Austria Dmitry Lyubinsky pointed out that “EU statements on referendums will not change anything” and stated that “the European Union (EU) and the capitals of the European Union can announce anything, but this will not change Relevant treaties on admission to Russia have already been signed Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.

In a statement on social media, he added that “as part of coordinated action within the framework of the European Union, I was today invited to the Austrian Foreign Ministry” against the backdrop of referendums on joining Russia, and in response indicated that “the free expression of will of millions of people in referendums took place in full compliance with the norms and principles of international law”.

At the same time, he emphasized that “the legitimate right to self-determination is enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the two International Covenants on Human Rights of 1966 and the Helsinki Final Act of 1975”, adding that “the European Union and individual capitals of the European Union can declare themselves anything, but these data do not change anything and cannot change – the relevant agreements have been signed, and four new subjects of the Russian Federation have been accepted into Russia.

Earlier Monday, the Austrian Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s ambassador in connection with the referendums to “send a clear message” that holding referendums in these areas is an “unacceptable violation of international law,” the challenge letter said.