02:51Local residents in Ukrainian regions of Melitopol and Kherson voted in the referendum to join the Russian Federation on Friday.
Local governments of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR), as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced earlier this week that the voting would take place from September 23-27
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.'
However, on Friday, Mykhailo Podolya, advisor to the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, described the exercise as a 'propaganda show'. President Volodymyr Zelensky himself condemned the 'pseudo-referendum', while his press secretary Sergei Nikiforov claimed that the action meant there would be no chance of a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described the votes as 'sham referenda', while President Joe Biden said that 'Russia has violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and had also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe.'
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said their countries would not recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell claimed those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable.'
Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.
Ukraine: Ukrainian regions Melitopol and Kherson start voting on whether or not to join Russian Federation
Local residents in Ukrainian regions of Melitopol and Kherson voted in the referendum to join the Russian Federation on Friday.
Local governments of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR), as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced earlier this week that the voting would take place from September 23-27
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.'
However, on Friday, Mykhailo Podolya, advisor to the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, described the exercise as a 'propaganda show'. President Volodymyr Zelensky himself condemned the 'pseudo-referendum', while his press secretary Sergei Nikiforov claimed that the action meant there would be no chance of a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described the votes as 'sham referenda', while President Joe Biden said that 'Russia has violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and had also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe.'
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said their countries would not recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell claimed those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable.'
Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.
Local residents in Ukrainian regions of Melitopol and Kherson voted in the referendum to join the Russian Federation on Friday.
Local governments of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR), as well as those established in Kherson and Zaporozhye after the regions came under Russian control, announced earlier this week that the voting would take place from September 23-27
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.'
However, on Friday, Mykhailo Podolya, advisor to the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, described the exercise as a 'propaganda show'. President Volodymyr Zelensky himself condemned the 'pseudo-referendum', while his press secretary Sergei Nikiforov claimed that the action meant there would be no chance of a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described the votes as 'sham referenda', while President Joe Biden said that 'Russia has violated the basic principles of the UN Charter' and had also made 'open nuclear threats against Europe.'
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said their countries would not recognise the results, while EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell claimed those involved in organising them 'will be held accountable.'
Moscow launched the military offensive in Ukraine earlier this year, after recognising the independence of the DPR and LPR.
Kiev condemned the action, while Zelensky ordered martial law and full mobilisation in February.