Russia has officially annexed Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia in Ukraine. Speaking at a ceremony in Moscow, Putin announced Russia’s decision to the world.
The Ukrainian War entered a new phase with Putin’s move.
A referendum was held in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia and it was decided to ‘annex to Russia’.
The ‘annexation ceremony’ announced by Russia yesterday has started. Putin said ‘this is the will of millions of people’ for the decision of the 4 regions to join Russia.
Here are some of the highlights of Putin’s statements;
Duma members, citizens of the Russian Federation, held referendums in Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson. The people have made their decision. This is the will of millions of people. This is their right. It is their first right under Article 1 of the United Nations Charter, the right to decide their own destiny.
We will sign 4 regions to be annexed to Russia. This is a fundamental human right and a historic right.
Highlights from Putin’s statements;
Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson region has made its decision and these results will be accepted. Four new regions have decided because this is a very clear choice of millions of people. Of course, it is their right, very rightfully. It is written in Article 1 of the UN, the right to self-determination.
Our generations have always fought for the right. Our great-grandfathers always fought patriotically for their country. You have watched the struggle against the Nazi organization in Ukraine.
These people voted for a common future, all the people living in those regions, the people who left in ’91, voted for our national unity again. After the revolution there were borders that divided us, they broke up our great country despite the referendum in ’91 and they presented it to people as if it was a fact. It doesn’t matter anymore, the Soviet Union no longer exists and today’s Russia doesn’t need it. There is no more important decision than the choice of millions. They wanted to return to their true, historical homeland.
