After having already recognized the independence of the People's Republic of Donetsk and that of Lugansk, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recognized the independence of the Ukrainian regions of Zaporizhia and Kherson.
“I order to recognize the sovereignty of the State and the independence” of the regions of Zaporijjia and Kherson, located in the south of Ukraine, can we read in these decrees published Thursday evening in Ria Novosti.
These texts come just before Vladimir Putin formalizes the annexation of these two regions, as well as those of Donetsk and Lugansk to Russia.
Independence decrees
According to Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, Putin will sign Kremlin membership documents before delivering a speech.
A pop concert is also planned in Red Square, where a stage and screens have been set up.
In September, the regions of Zaporijjia, Kherson, Donetsk and Lugansk organized “referendums”, with results that came close to a plebiscite.
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Obviously, there is no question for kyiv and the West to recognize this attachment of 15% of the territory of Ukraine to Russia after the pseudo-referendums hastily organized and whose democratic behavior raises questions.
Especially since Russian bombardments in the outskirts of Zaporijjia still took place this Friday morning.
China's position will be carefully considered
But Vladimir Putin relies on the contrary on these referendums, as in Crimea in 2014, to justify himself by considering that they meet the "universally recognized principles and standards of international law" which are enshrined in the UN charter.
Almost at the same time as the ceremony on Red Square in Moscow, the UN Security Council is due to vote on a resolution at the request of the United States condemning the "referendums" for the annexation of several Ukrainian regions and calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops.
This resolution "condemns the organization by the Russian Federation of so-called illegal referendums" in the regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhya, and judges that they cannot have "any validity" nor "serve as a basis for a alteration of the status of these regions”, “including any alleged annexation” by Russia.
If the Russian veto is not in doubt during the vote, it is above all the position of China, sometimes accused by the West of being too conciliatory with Russia, which will be examined with attention.
Beijing, officially neutral, repeated this week its call for respect for the territorial integrity "of all countries".
India's position will also be closely monitored.
If this resolution is not adopted, a subsequent vote at the United Nations General Assembly could be organized.
There, as none of the 193 member states has a veto, this will make it possible to assess the degree of isolation or not of Russia.