Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to sign into law for annexations of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia on Friday.
Last week Russia held fake referendums in order to claim a mandate for territorial claims. This will make Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions official from Russia’s perspective. Ukraine and its international allies have slammed them as a sham.
According to Russian officials, the four regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia which represent about 15% of Ukraine, voted overwhelmingly to be incorporated into Russian territory.
The West has stated that it will never recognize the annexation, with videos on social media showing armed soldiers enforcing the vote door-to-door. The referendums carried out in the four regions have been rejected by the West. US, UK and Canada have said that they will ‘never recognise’ result of these referendums
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 this year. After sustained advance in the initial months, Russian forces were forced to retreat from large swathes of land as Ukrainian forces mounted a counter-attack.
(With inputs from agencies)
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