ANKARA

Referendums in four regions of Ukraine on whether to join Russia have no legitimacy, the NATO chief reiterated on Tuesday, as voting is set to draw to a close.

“Just spoke with President Zelenskyy & made clear that NATO Allies are unwavering in our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty & right to self-defence. The sham referenda held by Russia have no legitimacy & are a blatant violation of international law. These lands are Ukraine, ” Jens Stoltenberg said on Twitter.

The votes are being held in Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, a move the international community says is illegitimate and will not be recognized. Russian media, however, are reporting high turnouts in the five-day exercise.​​​​​

NATO had earlier condemned the “sham” referendums announced by Russian-backed authorities in Ukrainian regions, ruling out the recognition of their “illegal and illegitimate annexation."