President Vladimir Putin addresses Russia on the First Anniversary of the Ukrainian Region Annexation.
“I congratulate you on Reunification Day Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions with Russia,” according to Pres. Vladimir Putin, Russian Federation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin commemorated the first anniversary of annexing parts of four Ukrainian regions in a televised address.
Putin called it a decisive, historic event and officially named September 30 as Reunification Day.
To recall, Luhansk, or Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), is among the four regions including Donestk or Donetsk People’s Republic, Kherson, and Zaphorizhzhia, that Pres. Vladimir Putin agreed to allow to join Russia via referendums.
Putin praised the residents for choosing Russia in referendums following international regulations.
He also acknowledged local elections that supported Moscow’s annexation and thanked the residents for their unwavering support.
Ukraine and its allies condemned the move calling it an annexation of the sovereign territory of Ukraine.
Kyiv also considers it a temporary Russian occupation and aims to regain control.
NATO member countries, and other nations, called the said referendum illegitimate and a sham
Ukraine alleges the votes in Russian-controlled regions were unlawful and part of Russia’s plan to justify annexation.
