President Putin delivered previously a speech on the accession of these territories as entities of the Russian Federation.
The president said that Russia will guarantee the security of the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye provinces, and help rebuild their infrastructure. Putin also called on the Ukrainian authorities to respect this election since “this is the only path to peace.”
The people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, whose sovereignty were recognized by the Kremlin last February, and the provinces of Zaporozhye and Kherson, held referendums on their incorporation into Russia between September 23rd and 27th.
Voters in all four regions overwhelmingly supported this decision.
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