(ANSA) - MOSCOW, SEPTEMBER 20 - A referendum for the annexation to Russia will be held in the self-proclaimed Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk from 23 to 27 September.
A referendum will also take place on the same dates in the Russian-occupied part of the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia and in the Kherson region.
"Farce referendums have no legitimacy and do not change the nature of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. This is a further escalation of Putin's war. The international community must condemn this gross violation of international law and strengthen support for Ukraine."
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg writes in a tweet.
"The United States will never recognize as Russia's territory those areas of Ukraine where Putin has announced that he wants to hold a referendum for annexation."
The American National Security Advisor, JakeSullivan, said in a press briefing, "We know that the referendums will be manipulated. They are an outrage to Ukraine's sovereignty and a violation of the UN Charter",
he pointed out.
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