The pro-Russian authorities in Ukraine’s Lugansk and Kherson regions announced yesterday that they had asked President Vladimir Putin to incorporate them into Russia, a day after the annexation vote, which was widely condemned by the international community.
“Dear Vladimir… Please consider joining the Luhansk People’s Republic to Russia as a member of the Russian Federation,” reads a text posted on Telegram by pro-Russian separatist leader Leonid Pasechnik.
A similar message was sent by Volodymyr Saldo, who heads the occupation administration in occupied Kherson in southern Ukraine.
Western countries condemned Russia’s actions, and Moscow promised to impose new sanctions, and the results of referendums were close to 100% in favor of joining the four regions to Russia.
However, the annexations and Russia’s threat to protect the region with nuclear weapons have not discouraged Ukraine.
Kyiv continues its counteroffensive in the east and south of the country, urging Western countries to “immediately and significantly increase pressure on Russia.”
