By Shannon Pettypiece -
NBC News
WASHINGTON — The White House announced Tuesday that it has detailed information on Russian efforts to annex more Ukrainian territory, including forcing residents to apply for Russian citizenship, converting the ruble into the official currency and taking control of telecommunications networks. .
Russian officials are studying plans to annex a number of regions, including Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk, by installing officials empowered to hold sham referendums on membership with Russia as a basis for the territory's annexation, John Kirby explained. National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, during a briefing with journalists.
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The measures described by Kirby are similar to those adopted by Russia in 2014 when it annexed Crimea.
Although the additional annexation was largely expected, and has been developing to some extent in recent weeks, the White House said it was highlighting efforts to send a signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that the United States is aware of His plans.
Kirby said that if Russia goes ahead, she will become "even more of a global outcast than she is now."
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"We just wanted to make it very clear to the American people what we're seeing and make it very clear to Mr. Putin that no one is fooled by it. We know he's dusting off the old playbook from 2014, and we're going to be watching this closely." Kirby warned.
“We are also going to continue exposing the Russian plan so that the world knows that any alleged annexation is premeditated, illegal and illegitimate,” he clarified.
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The Kremlin is laying the groundwork for annexation by creating Russian bank branches to establish the ruble as the default currency, taking control of broadcasting towers, replacing telecommunications infrastructure and issuing Russian passports.
Kirby said the United States would announce another military assistance package to Ukraine this week, including advanced high-mobility rocket systems, additional multiple-launch rocket systems and artillery ammunition.
“The Ukrainian Army will work to retake that territory.
The Ukrainian people will resist Russian control and try to drive Russia out as they have been doing," Kirby said.
