Russian President Vladimir Putin announced during ceremonies signing agreements to annex Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia to the Russian Federation that "Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson have become Russian regions," stating that "the annexation of these four new areas reflects the popular will of millions." He noted that "the choice of millions of residents in these areas is being realized after the disaster of the fragmentation of the Soviet Union." He emphasized that "the residents of Luhansk and Donetsk have become Russian citizens forever after years of siege and hatred," adding, "We will do everything to defend our lands, and the Kyiv regime must respect the popular will."
The Russian president regarded that "the West has removed its mask and wants to force us to accept authoritarian decisions to weaken us and bring us back to the years of the Cold War." He added that "Europeans sought to maintain colonialism by new means, imposing dominance on others to serve their interests." He further perceived that "the West wants countries and entities to abandon their sovereignty and is even prepared to use terrorism for its interests," noting, "The West has abandoned its security commitments and engages in deception while claiming to defend laws."
Putin clarified that "Moscow is ready to return to negotiations with Kyiv but will not annul the results of the referendums in Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson," pointing out that "Russia is a great country, and we will not accept living according to forged international rules." He mentioned that "the West has no moral right to impose its will while dividing the world into civilized and savage nations, and past Western colonialism was against humanity, thereby ending the claims of Western values' sovereignty in the world." He continued, "It claimed partnership with Russia, but its actions indicate that its view towards us was colonial."
The Russian president noted that "the United States and Britain have turned countries and cities into ruins, and Washington has left behind corpses in many countries," revealing that "the West produces biological weapons and uses humans in Ukraine as testing grounds." He added that "Washington is pushing for sanctions against Russia and pressuring Europe to abandon Russian energy resources for its dominance." He stressed that "conducting sabotage operations and explosions in gas lines in the Baltic is among the means to confront Russia, and the West is the beneficiary," clarifying that "Europe accepts the new American colonial plans, and the West targets our partners and neighboring countries."
He viewed that "the West is not retracting its spread of false propaganda against us, but these lies will not warm Europeans in winter," pointing out that "the West wants to classify us as an enemy, and Europe does not want a practical solution to the energy crisis. After World War II, the United States managed to impose the dollar's authority on the world." He added, "Russia recognizes its responsibility to the international community and will do what is necessary to bring the West back to its senses."
He affirmed that "force will determine the political future in the world, and the future belongs to the fight for our people and for historic, great Russia," concluding, "the choice of the peoples of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia is victory with the Russian homeland." At the end of his speech, President Vladimir Putin signed with the political leaders of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia agreements for their accession to the Russian Federation. Russian authorities confirmed that "the support for joining Russia was 99% in Donetsk, 98% in Luhansk, 93% in Zaporizhia, and 87% in Kherson."
The European Union: "Invalid and Null"
The European Union strongly condemned Russia's annexation of the four Ukrainian regions, adding that it will never recognize the "illegal" referendums held there and that it will tighten sanctions on Moscow to increase pressure on it. The EU stated in a press release that "Russia's deliberate undermining of the international order threatens global security." It continued, "We will never recognize the illegal referendums conducted by Russia as a pretext for further violations of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, nor their false illegal results." It added, "We will enhance our punitive measures to confront Russia's illegal actions. These measures will intensify pressure on Russia to end its aggressive war."
Meloni: No Legal or Political Value
Georgia Meloni, widely expected to become Italy's Prime Minister next month, stated that Russia's move to annex four Ukrainian regions "has no legal or political value." She added in a statement that Putin "once again shows his new imperial vision... which threatens the security of the entire European continent," urging the West to unite against Moscow's actions.
United States: Severe Sanctions
The United States announced "severe" sanctions against Russian officials and the country's defense sector in response to the Kremlin's announcement of the annexation of four neighboring Ukrainian regions. The White House stated, "The United States will make Russia pay a quick and harsh price." It also announced that allies within the G7 group will support holding any country that supports Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territories accountable.
European Countries
The Greek Foreign Ministry condemned Russia's annexation of the Ukrainian regions. The Dutch Foreign Minister stated, "The threats issued by Russia regarding the use of nuclear weapons are unacceptable." The UK summoned the Russian ambassador and delivered a note of protest against Russia's decision to annex Ukrainian regions, imposing sanctions on the governor of the Russian central bank.
Israel
Israel affirmed its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, announcing its non-recognition of Russia's annexation decisions. The Israeli Foreign Ministry warned against Russia recruiting Israeli citizens of Russian nationality to fight in Ukraine, stating, "The army instructs all its soldiers holding Russian citizenship currently in Russia to return immediately to Israel." The military has prohibited its soldiers holding Russian citizenship from traveling to Russia.
G7 Group
The foreign ministers of the G7 group stated in a joint statement that Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhia, and Crimea are Ukrainian territories. They added, "We will never recognize Russia's annexation decisions of Ukrainian regions," highlighting, "We will intensify economic pressure on Russia."
NATO Alliance
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated, "We reaffirm our support for Ukraine's territorial integrity," adding, "Russia's annexation of Ukrainian regions is illegal, and we will continue to support the authorities in Kyiv." He continued, "Every democracy in Europe has the right to pursue NATO membership, and NATO's doors are open."
