September 28, 2022 23:04
Many observers are wondering whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will announce, during his upcoming speech in the coming days, the annexation of the Ukrainian regions that have witnessed referendums.
These referendums on joining Russia were organized in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson under Russian control.
Today, Wednesday, local administrations in those four regions formally asked President Putin to integrate them into Russia, which Russian officials indicated is a formality. Lugansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson – Russia!”
And the Russian president might announce the annexation of these areas in a speech within days, just over a week following he approved the move to hold referendums.
“The results are clear. Welcome home, in Russia!” Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president who is now deputy head of the National Security Council, said on Telegram.
“The results of this referendum speak for themselves: the residents of Donbass, Kherson and Zaporizhia do not want to return to their previous lives and made a conscious and free choice in favor of Russia,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Local administrations say they held referendums over five days in those regions, which make up regarding 15 percent of Ukraine’s territory.
Russia asserts that the vote was voluntary and in line with international law, and that the turnout was high.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sought international support in the face of likely Russian annexations by making a series of calls with foreign leaders, including those of Britain, Canada, Germany and Turkey.
Source: Archyde.com
