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Putin annexes 4 Ukrainian regions, U.S. says it will impose ‘severe cost’ on Russia

In a big move, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday formally announced the annexation of four regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia and claimed that “this is the will of millions of people,” media reports said. Immediately after the annexation, the United States announced that it will impose “swift and severe cost” on Russia.In […]

In a big move, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday formally announced the annexation of four regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia and claimed that “this is the will of millions of people,” media reports said. Immediately after the annexation, the United States announced that it will impose “swift and severe cost” on Russia.
In a lengthy speech declaring the annexation of Ukrainian territories in the St George’s Hall at a Kremlin ceremony, Putin said, “There are four new regions of Russia.” Putin also added that Russia would now defend its new territory “with all the means at its disposal.” Putin said the residents in the four annexed regions will now be Russia’s “citizens forever”.
While denying seeking revival of the Soviet Union by the said annexation, Putin accused Western states – which have imposed sweeping sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
Defending its decision to go ahead with the referendum and announce the annexation of the region, the Russian President argued it was the “integral right” of people in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia to join Russia, reported Al Jazeera.
Speaking further, Putin claimed that the people in eastern Ukraine made up of Donetsk and Luhansk – had been “victims of inhumane terrorist attacks conducted by the Kyiv regime”. He also called the result of the referendum “the will of millions of people.”

Reacting sharply to the development, the Biden administration official in a statement said, “The Treasury Department, US government and our allies will not hesitate to take swift and severe actions against individuals and companies inside and outside of Russia who are complicit in this war and these sham referendums.” Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden condemned Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territory on Friday. “The United States condemns Russia’s fraudulent attempt today to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory. Russia is violating international law, trampling on the United Nations Charter, and showing its contempt for peaceful nations everywhere,” according to the statement released by the White House.
Calling the annexation, “illegal” Biden said that the US will always honour Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and will continue to support the country’s effort to regain control of its territory by strengthening its hand militarily and diplomatically. He further said that the USD 1.1 billion in additional security assistance that the United States announced this week also helped Ukraine. “We will continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself, undeterred by Russia’s brazen effort to redraw the borders of its neighbour,” the statement reads. In another development, the UN Security Council is set to vote Friday on a resolution that would seek to condemn Russia for its referenda in four regions under Russian control but claimed by Ukraine, media reports said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also reacted to say any annexation of a state’s territory by another state resulting from a “threat or use of force” is a violation of the UN charter and international law.

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