The Russian President, Vladimir Putinalready recognized the independence of the regions of Donetsk Y Lugansk, in Donbas, shortly before launching its offensive in Ukraine on February 24. His integration into Russia would mean a escalation in the ongoing conflict.
The Kherson region, in turn, was occupied by Russian troops shortly after the start of the war.
Hours later, the Russian occupation administration that controls part of the region of Zaporizhiain southern Ukraine, also announced the holding of a referendum.
“Today I have signed an ordinance on holding the referendum on the territorial belonging of the region,” the head of the occupation administration announced on Telegram, Yevgeny Balitskyfollowing the example of similar votes in Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson regions.
Ukraine responded immediately, promising to “liquidate” the Russian “threat” on Tuesday, shortly after the announcement of referendums this week to join Russia.
“Ukraine is going to solve the Russian question. The threat can only be eliminated by force“, wrote in Telegram the head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Andrii Yermak, who denounced a “blackmail” by Moscow motivated by “fear of defeat”.
Pro-Russian separatists already took control of Donetsk and Luhansk in 2014, with the support of Moscow. That same year, Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of crimeaan operation that was confirmed by a referendum preceded by a military intervention, and which is denounced as illegal by kyiv and by Westerners.
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrovindicated that this type of initiative, also proposed by the pro-Russian authorities in Zaporizhiarepresent a sample of the desire of the population of these territories to be able to determine if they want to be part of Russia.
“Since the beginning of the special military operation and, in general, in the preceding period, we said that the population of the respective territories should decide their future,” he said. “The current situation confirms that they want to be masters of their destiny,” he added.
Source: Ambito
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