Russia To Formally Annex , 4 Additional Areas of Ukraine.
On September 30, Vladimir Putin
will hold a signing ceremony to
annex four areas of Ukraine. .
On September 30, Vladimir Putin
will hold a signing ceremony to
annex four areas of Ukraine. .
BBC reports that the ceremony follows
a self-styled referendum widely
condemned by the West as a "sham.".
According to Russian-backed officials,
the five-day referendum secured
almost total popular support.
BBC reports that a stage has already
been erected in Moscow's Red Square, and
a concert has been planned for the evening.
The event mirrors Russia's 2014 annexation
of Crimea, which was also the culmination
of a widely-discredited referendum.
A vast majority of the international
community has never recognized
Russia's annexation of Crimea. .
BBC reports that no independent
monitoring of the Russian
referendum took place.
Next week, Russia's two houses of
parliament are expected to formally
ratify the annexation treaties. .
On October 4, Putin is expected to
address the upper house of parliament
three days prior to his 70th birthday.
The United States has threatened to
impose further sanctions on Russia
as a result of the staged referendums.
The European Union is reportedly considering
their own 8th round of measures which include
sanctions on anyone who took part in the vote.
The European Union is reportedly considering
their own 8th round of measures which include
sanctions on anyone who took part in the vote.
Last week, Russia threatened
to use all means at its disposal
to defend its territory