The EU High Representative, on behalf of the European Union, has issued a statement regarding the so-called presidential elections held in the occupied self-proclaimed region of South Ossetia.

The statement emphasizes that the European Union does not recognize the constitutional and legal frameworks — including recent amendments to them — under which the so-called presidential elections were held on September 18, 2026, in Georgia’s occupied self-proclaimed region of South Ossetia. Their outcome has no legal effect.

“The European Union strongly condemns Moscow’s actions aimed at installing a Russian official as the de facto president of Georgia’s occupied self-proclaimed region of South Ossetia; expresses concern over the signing on May 9, 2026, of the so-called ‘Agreement on Deepening Allied Cooperation’; and strongly condemns Russia’s continued attempts to consolidate its control through the integration of South Ossetia into Russia’s political, military, economic, and judicial spheres. These measures run counter to the peaceful resolution of the conflict and constitute steps towards the future illegal annexation of the self-proclaimed region occupied by Russia. Such actions systematically deepen divisions, threaten regional security and stability, and constitute a blatant violation of international law,” the statement reads.

In the statement, the European Union once again reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Georgia, including through its co-chairmanship of the Geneva International Discussions and the work of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM).

The European Union calls on Russia to respect Georgia’s sovereignty and cease all actions that undermine Georgia’s territorial integrity.

The European Union once again reaffirms its unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.