KIEV ∙ Russia is preparing to hold a referendum in rebel-held and war-torn regions of eastern and southeastern Ukraine. Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions have announced that referendums to decide whether to become part of Russia will be held from Friday to Tuesday. Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and deputy chairman of the Security Council, said the result would be final. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba shot back that the referendum was not going to bring any change.
The war that started on February 24 has passed 7 months on Saturday. Russia’s new strategy comes as Ukraine’s efforts to recapture occupied territories see success. If the vote is positive, 15% of Ukraine’s territory will become part of the Russian Federation. After that, if Ukraine escalates military operations here, Russia’s response could be unpredictable.
Luhansk and Donetsk (Donbas region) are provinces of eastern Ukraine that have declared themselves as independent republics. 95 percent of southern Kherson is now controlled by Russian forces. Europe’s largest nuclear power plant is located in the southeastern region of Zaporizhia.
Russia’s annexation of Crimea, part of Ukraine, in 2014 won formal popular support through a referendum.
Putin ready to end war: Erdogan
New York – Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that he thinks that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible. In an interview with the US channel, he mentioned that Russia’s situation is deteriorating and that important action is imminent. It was Erdogan who mediated the negotiations initiated by the United Nations for grain distribution from Ukraine to various parts of the world.
English Summary: Russia support referendums in Ukraine