The four regions of Ukraine have decided to hold a referendum on joining Russia!

The four regions of Ukraine have decided to hold a referendum on joining Russia!

According to news from RIA Novosti on September 20, local time, the referendum on joining Russia in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions will be held from September 23 to 27.

Representatives from these regions stressed that joining the Russian Federation would ensure the security of its territory and restore historical justice, the report said. They believe the decision is extremely necessary in the face of continuing terrorist attacks by Ukrainian authorities and NATO member states.

In mid-February, the leaders of Donetsk and Luhansk demanded that Russia recognize their sovereignty as independent states. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the relevant decree on February 21.

According to a poll by the Crimean Institute of Social and Political Research (RIPSI), 94% of Donetsk residents support the addition of "Donetsk People's Republic" to the Russian Federation, 93% of Luhansk residents In favour of the entry of the "Luhansk People's Republic" into the Russian Federation. This figure is 87% in the Zaporozhye region and 80% in the Kherson region. In addition, the poll also said that the willingness of the people in the four places to choose to participate in the referendum is very strong, all above 70%.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on September 20 that the people should decide their own destiny, and the whole current situation has confirmed that they want to be the masters of their own destiny.

On the same day, Medvedev, Vice Chairman of the Russian Federation Security Council, said: "A referendum should be held in the Donbas region. The referendum is of great significance not only for the systematic protection of residents, but also for the restoration of historical justice. If Russian territory is directly attacked, Russia will be able to Use all power to defend yourself."

According to the Chinese website of the Russian Satellite News Agency, the deputy chairman of the Russian Central Election Commission Braev told the media that during the referendums in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, there will be many people from Observers from Russia, including from Russia's Central Election Commission.

For the referendum, Russia expressed its support, while many European and American countries condemned it.

U.S. National Security Advisor Sullivan said at a White House press conference on September 20 that Washington "unequivocally" rejects any such referendum. The U.S. will never recognize Russia's coveting of any annexed parts of Ukraine, "we will always recognize these territories as part of Ukraine."

EU foreign policy chief Borrell said on September 20 that the EU and its member states would not recognize the result of the referendum. Borrell has threatened to consider further measures against Russia if the referendum goes ahead.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on September 20 that the referendum to join Russia in Ukraine would not be recognized by the international community. He called the referendum plan a "botched show" that was "sad and funny". AFP said German Chancellor Scholz directly called the referendum a "sham" vote.

On the other side of the incident, Ukraine also responded to the referendum in many places.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media that Kyiv's position would not be changed by the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics and the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions announcing referendums to join Russia.

"Our position is clear and well known," he said. "It's the only thing we should care about. It's not what the voices of other places are, but what our mission is."

At the same time, Zelensky thanked Western countries for speaking out against the referendum plan in eastern Ukraine. "I thank all my friends and partners in Ukraine for their massive and firm condemnation of Russia's intentions to organize more pseudo-referendums," he said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba said on social media that the "fake referendum" will not change anything, as will the mixed "mobilization order".

Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, said the referendum was a naive and extortionate threat that Ukraine would solve the Russian problem and that the threat could only be eliminated by force.