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Violation of international law in a ceremonial setting: in a well-staged propaganda show, the head of the Kremlin and the occupation administrators sealed the annexation of the four occupied territories in Ukraine.
Before that, Vladimir Putin once again twisted the facts in his speech: Ukraine is the aggressor, Russia wants to negotiate - but not about the annexed areas.
Original sound Putin:
“We call on the Kiev regime to stop shelling and immediately end all military activities, including the war it started in 2014, and return to the negotiating table.
We are ready for this, as has been said several times.
But the decision of the people of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson Oblasts is not up for debate.
She was hit.
Russia will not betray them.«
According to Putin, the pseudo-referendums correspond to the will of “millions of people”.
Original sound Putin:
“And the authorities in Kyiv should treat this free will of the people with respect and nothing else.
This is the only way to peace.
We will defend our country with all the strength and means at our disposal and do everything we can to protect the security of our people.
This is the great liberating mission of our people.«
Internationally, neither the staged votes nor the illegal annexation are recognized.
The EU sharply condemned the acquisition of the territory, and the USA imposed further sanctions on Russia.
Ukraine has applied for accelerated NATO membership.