The Russian president has signed decrees recognizing the “independence” of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, according to the official legal information portal of the Russian Federation.
Putin’s decision was believed to be an attempt to halt a Ukrainian counterattack that has forced Russia to retreat from much of the Kharkiv region and is now threatening to retake more territory in Donetsk. He hopes that the threat of all-out war and a nuclear retaliation will reduce western support for the Ukrainian offensive.
Quote: “In accordance with the generally accepted principles and norms of international law, recognizing and affirming the principle of equality and self-determination of peoples enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and taking into the account the will of the people of Kherson Oblast expressed in the referendum held on 27 September 2022, I decree: the sovereignty and independence of Kherson Oblast shall be recognized”.
Previously on Tuesday, Ukrainians president stressed if Russia used the sham referendums in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories as a pretext for annexing those territories, this would foreclose all possibility of negotiations between Official Kyiv and Kremlin.
Putin is expected to make a public speech to members of the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, at the ceremony. By law, Russia’s Federation Council must approve the treaties before they are signed by Putin, but it was not clear when the council was scheduled to meet.