Luhansk separatist leader posts video in which he signs petition to Russian president – Kyiv calls for significant increase in arms shipments to respond to annexation
The pro-Russian authorities in the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Kherson announced today Wednesday that they requested their integration into Russia from the president Vladimir Putin, following hastily organized referendums which the West has denounced as illegal.
“Taking into account the fact that the population of the republic approved the decision in the referendum, I ask you to consider the issue of making the Luhansk People’s Republic a part of Russia as a subject of the Russian Federation,” said Leonid Pasetsnik, the separatist leader of Luhansk , in a text he posted on Telegram, while he posted a video in which he signs the request to the Russian president.
The governor appointed by Russia in the Ukrainian, now controlled by Moscow, region of Kherson also posted a similar letter on Telegram. Vladimir Saldo stated that the Kherson region made a “historic choice” in favor of Russia.
The annexation proceedings will be followed by the Russian parliament and Vladimir Putin. The process can take hours or a few days
It is noted that no Western state, and a large part of the international community, does not recognize Western referenda as legal.
Kyiv is calling for a significant increase in arms shipments to respond to the annexation
For its part, Ukraine today called for a significant increase in arms shipments to counter Russia, reacting to annexation “referendums” in four Ukrainian regions and rejecting Russian nuclear threats.
The West denounced the Russian escalation manifested through the organization of rigged “referendums”, while the results of the polls almost reached 100% of votes in favor of “yes” to the annexation by Moscow.
The imminent annexation of these territories and Russia’s threat to defend them these areas and with nuclear weapons does not force Kyiv to lay down its arms. Ukrainian forces continue the counter-offensive in eastern and southern Ukraine, calling on the West to immediately and significantly increase pressure on Russia.
Kyiv needs “tanks, warplanes, long-range artillery, anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense systems.”
After liberating much of the Russian-occupied territory in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine, Ukrainian forces continue to advance eastward, now at a slower pace. They are also continuing their counteroffensive in southern Ukraine, with less spectacular results.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city on the border with Russia, was bombed last night. About 18,000 households were left without electricity after the Russian bombing, which however caused no casualties.
Westerners give assurances of their determination to support and continue arming Ukraine. The head of European diplomacy Joseph Borel denounced the illegal annexation votes and the manipulation of the results.
Even China, Russia’s closest partner, indirectly criticized the “referendums” by standing for the “territorial integrity of all countries”.
RES-EMP
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