- Vladimir Putin signed decrees to recognize two regions of Ukraine as independent territories.
- The move lays the groundwork for Kherson and Zaporizhzhia to be annexed by Russia.
- After sham referendums, Putin is now set to annexe four Ukrainian territories.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed decrees on Thursday recognizing the independence of two Ukrainian regions — Kherson and Zaporizhzhia — and laying the groundwork for their expected annexation by Russia.
The decrees were issued ahead of Putin’s likely announcement that Russia would annexe the two territories together with Donetsk & Luhansk. per Reuters.
Both territories are unilaterally declared independent of Ukraine in the documents. This step is required before they can be considered part of Russia.
Dmitry Peskov (Kremlin spokesperson) said that Russia would hold a ceremony in Moscow on Friday to declare eastern Ukraine as Russian territory. Reuters reported.
According to the outlet, Peskov stated that the ceremony would focus on “agreements regarding the accession of new territory into the Russian Federation.”
The areas to be annexed comprise around 15% of Ukraine’s total area. Reuters.
Sham referendumsIn the four Russian-occupied territories, polls were held recently that ran counter to international law. The polls were Pro-Russian separatists organized the event It involved soldiers with guns going from house to house in order to collect votesThey threatened to use violence against Ukrainian families if they didn’t participate.
Russia used illegal polls to achieve its goals. Crimea illegally annexed2014 In 2014.
The following is an extract from the Associated PressRussian troops hold control of most areas of Luhansk, and about two-thirds in Donetsk. These referendums could also be part Russia’s plan for Ukraine to accept the annexed regions. A strong Ukrainian counteroffensive at Kherson.
UN secretary general António GuterresRussia’s actions have been criticized.
Guterres declared Thursday that “any annexation of a territory of another State by the threat of force is a violation of the Principles of the UN Charter or international law.”
“The Russian Federation, one of five permanent members, has a special responsibility to ensure that the Charter is respected. He said that any decision to annex the Donetsk and Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia areas of Ukraine would be without legal value and should be condemned.
