Russia to declare annexation of four Ukrainian territories in a major ceremony today
Source – World news
The move — which is expected to draw more international condemnation — comes three days after the completion of “hastily organised” referendums in which Moscow-installed leaders in the occupied regions claimed majorities of up to 99% in favour of joining Russia.
In a major escalation of the ongoing war, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recognised the independence of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. This came after he took similar steps regarding Luhansk and Donetsk in February and earlier for Crimea. The annexation would be formalised at the ceremony Friday where Putin is expected to deliver a “major’ speech.
“I order the recognition of the state sovereignty and independence of the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, located in southern Ukraine,” Putin was quoted as saying in the decrees.
The move — which is expected to draw more international condemnation — comes three days after the completion of “hastily organised” referendums in which Moscow-installed leaders in the occupied regions claimed majorities of up to 99% in favour of joining Russia.
Ukraine and the West have slammed the votes to be bogus and illegitimate.
Here are the top updates:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has promised a strong response to the annexations and summoned his defence and security chiefs for an emergency meeting on Friday. The war-torn country has called on the West to hit Russia with more sanctions and to supply Ukrainian forces with more weapons to keep reclaiming territory.
