Russian President Vladimir on Friday 30 September 2022 signed documents signifying the annexation of nearly 20 per cent of Ukraine maintaining that Russia is not aiming to restore the Soviet Union.
According to Putin’s decrees published by the official database of legislative information on Friday, Russia has recognized the independence of the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions..
According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, a ceremony to sign accession treaties with four new territories – the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (DPR and LPR), as well as the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions – will be held in the Kremlin at 15:00 Moscow time.
Russia recognized the independence of the DPR and the LPR in February.
Referendums on becoming a part of Russia were held in the DPR and the LPR, as well as in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions from September 23 to 27.
The referendums were described as a “sham” by Ukraine’s allies.
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday warned Russia against the “annexation” of the four regions accusing Moscow of prompting a “dangerous escalation,” and called on the Kremlin “to step back from the brink.”
His remarks came one day before the ceremonial signing of treaties on the inclusion of the two Donbass republics, as well states in Kherson and Zaporozhye, into the Russian Federation.
Speaking to the reporters, Guterres described the accession procedure as “a process of annexation of the Ukrainian regions.” Guterres said:
Any decision to proceed with the annexation of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions of Ukraine would have no legal value and deserves to be condemned. It cannot be reconciled with the international legal framework.
Last week Friday 23 September 2022, United States of America’s President Joe Biden warned Russia there will be “swift and severe” costs if Moscow uses “sham” referendums to annex more of Ukraine.