٠٠:٠٢:٣٤Mandatory credit: US Department of State
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his administration would never accept 'annexation’ of parts of Ukraine by Russia, during a press briefing with India’s Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Washington DC on Tuesday.
"We and many other countries have already been crystal clear. We will not indeed we will never recognise the annexation of Ukrainian territory by Russia," Blinken said. "Ukraine has the absolute right to defend itself throughout its territory, including to take back the territory that has been illegally seized one way or another by Russia."
Blinken also alleged 'some kind of sabotage' on the Nord Stream gas pipelines from Russia, after leaks were discovered. While not directly accusing Moscow, the Kremlin has described the implication as 'predictable and predictably stupid'.
The secretary of state’s comments on 'annexation' came as voting ended in four regions holding referenda on joining with Russia.
The local governments of the Lugansk and the Donetsk People’s Republics (LPR and DPR), as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced their intention to hold ballots last week.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he was ready to support the decisions taken, with his country prepared 'to provide the safe environment' and let the people 'express their will'.
Ukraine and its Western allies have described the voting as a 'sham'. On Friday, Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, described the exercise as a 'propaganda show'.
France and Germany vowed not to recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell claimed those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable'.
US President Joe Biden said that Russia had 'violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe'.
Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.
USA: Washington 'will never recognise annexation of Ukrainian territory by Russia' - Blinken as referenda end in four breakaway regions
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his administration would never accept 'annexation’ of parts of Ukraine by Russia, during a press briefing with India’s Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Washington DC on Tuesday.
"We and many other countries have already been crystal clear. We will not indeed we will never recognise the annexation of Ukrainian territory by Russia," Blinken said. "Ukraine has the absolute right to defend itself throughout its territory, including to take back the territory that has been illegally seized one way or another by Russia."
Blinken also alleged 'some kind of sabotage' on the Nord Stream gas pipelines from Russia, after leaks were discovered. While not directly accusing Moscow, the Kremlin has described the implication as 'predictable and predictably stupid'.
The secretary of state’s comments on 'annexation' came as voting ended in four regions holding referenda on joining with Russia.
The local governments of the Lugansk and the Donetsk People’s Republics (LPR and DPR), as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced their intention to hold ballots last week.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he was ready to support the decisions taken, with his country prepared 'to provide the safe environment' and let the people 'express their will'.
Ukraine and its Western allies have described the voting as a 'sham'. On Friday, Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, described the exercise as a 'propaganda show'.
France and Germany vowed not to recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell claimed those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable'.
US President Joe Biden said that Russia had 'violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe'.
Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.
Mandatory credit: US Department of State
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his administration would never accept 'annexation’ of parts of Ukraine by Russia, during a press briefing with India’s Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Washington DC on Tuesday.
"We and many other countries have already been crystal clear. We will not indeed we will never recognise the annexation of Ukrainian territory by Russia," Blinken said. "Ukraine has the absolute right to defend itself throughout its territory, including to take back the territory that has been illegally seized one way or another by Russia."
Blinken also alleged 'some kind of sabotage' on the Nord Stream gas pipelines from Russia, after leaks were discovered. While not directly accusing Moscow, the Kremlin has described the implication as 'predictable and predictably stupid'.
The secretary of state’s comments on 'annexation' came as voting ended in four regions holding referenda on joining with Russia.
The local governments of the Lugansk and the Donetsk People’s Republics (LPR and DPR), as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced their intention to hold ballots last week.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he was ready to support the decisions taken, with his country prepared 'to provide the safe environment' and let the people 'express their will'.
Ukraine and its Western allies have described the voting as a 'sham'. On Friday, Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, described the exercise as a 'propaganda show'.
France and Germany vowed not to recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell claimed those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable'.
US President Joe Biden said that Russia had 'violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe'.
Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.