The “referendums” were held over five days in four regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya in eastern Ukraine. Together, the two make up about 15 percent of Ukraine’s territory, according to Reuters.
According to Russian state media, an overwhelming majority, 97-98 percent, voted to join Russia when five votes were counted. BBC.
“Polls“ You have It has no legitimacy under international law and is not expected to be recognized by any country other than Russia. Both Ukraine and the West dismissed these actions as a hoax. Hundreds of thousands of residents, possibly millions, fled the affected areas and the four regions were only partially occupied by the Russian army. Residents are also forced to vote in their homes under the supervision of armed men.
The result is predetermined and is expected to pave the way for Russia to annex the territories. Then President Putin could claim that any Ukrainian attempt to regain control of it is an attack on Russia. The president had said earlier that he was ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia’s territorial integrity.
When Putin speaks before The Russian parliament is expected to announce, on Friday, the annexation of the four regions of Russia, according to what the British Ministry of Defense wrote on Twitter.
“It is quite clear that Russia’s leaders hope that the declarations of accession will justify the ‘special military operation’ and strengthen national support for the conflict,” the Defense Ministry wrote in its latest analysis.
The head of the upper house of the Russian State Duma, Valentina Matvijenko, said that a decision to merge the four regions of Russia could be taken on October 4, Reuters writes.
Putin claims He wants to “save people”.
– Putin said in a televised speech according to BBC.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claims that “the situation will change radically from a legal perspective, based on international law, with all attendant consequences for protecting these areas and ensuring their security” after the vote, TT wrote.
Ukraine says it will not be affected by the vote on annexation or Russia’s nuclear threats. Instead, it will continue its plan to retake the occupied territories, says presidential advisor Mikhailo Podolyak.
According to the European Commission’s spokesperson for foreign affairs, Peter Stano, the EU will impose sanctions on those who organized illegal votes, according to reports. France 24.
Read more:
‘Referendums’ at gunpoint – expected to give resounding approval to Russian annexation
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