The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday in a statement that the conditions for "free ... and democratic elections" in Russia were not met.
"The electoral process in Russia took place in the context of increased repression against civil society and any form of opposition to the regime, ever-increasing restrictions on freedom of expression and ban on the operation of independent media," the ministry commented.
Paris further condemned the organization of "so-called" elections on the Ukrainian territories which have been "occupied by Russia," stating that this is a "violation of international law" and that the French authorities will never see the results as legitimate.
