Putin formally completes annexation of Ukraine’s 4 regions

Vladimir Putin, alongside the Russia-appointed occupation governors, has signed papers that formally complete Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.

Putin delivered a long speech in the Kremlin, urging Ukraine to stop combat and renew negotiations. However, “the choice that the people of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson have made” is not subject to discussion, he said, adding that all destroyed cities and settlements on those territories would be rebuilt.

“What we need now is the consolidation of our society, based upon sovereignty, creation and justice, as well as kindness and empathy,” he said.

The occupation “governments” of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics” (“DPR” and “LPR”), as well as the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine, published the final results of the “referendums” on joining Russia on 28 September.

The “DPR” stated that with 100% of the ballots counted, 99.23% voted in favour of joining Russia. The voter turnout reached 97.51%. The “LPR” stated that 98.42% voted in favour of joining Russia with a 92.6% turnout.

The pro-Russian “officials” of the occupied area of the Zaporizhzhia region announced that 93.11% voted in favour with an 82.40% turnout. The Kherson regional “government” reported that 87.05% had voted in favour, with the turnout reaching 76.86%.