The pro-Russian authorities of the Ukrainian regions of Zaporijia, Kherson, Luhansk and Donetsk claimed, Tuesday evening, September 27, the victory of the yes in favor of annexation by Russia, during the annexation referendums organized by Moscow and denounced by kyiv and its Western backers.
In a video posted on Telegram, the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, assured in the evening that Ukraine “will act to defend his people”. Speaking earlier Tuesday in a recorded message to the United Nations (UN) Security Council, he said that kyiv cannot hold talks with Moscow after the organization of these “pseudo-referendums”.
“The implementation of [même] scenario that in Crimea and yet another attempt to annex part of Ukrainian territory means that we do not have to discuss with the current Russian president”he said.
Expected scores
In all four regions, the magnitude of the results was in line with expectations. It was in the south of the country that the scores were the most “divided”. In the Kherson region, the pro-Moscow occupation administration announced that 87.05% of voters had voted yes after counting all the ballots. The Zaporizhia Region Electoral Commission claimed that 93.11% made the same choice.
In the East, the part of yes is even more important. Pro-Russian occupation authorities in the Luhansk region of Ukraine’s Donbass claimed that 98.42 percent of voters voted for joining Russia. Finally, the neighboring region of the “People’s Republic of Donetsk” has a score of 99.23%.
“Welcome home, to Russia!” »quickly reacted on Telegram former President Dmitry Medvedev. “We unite with our great fatherland, with great Russia”said the President of the “Donetsk People’s Republic”, Denis Pushilin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, for his part, defended these elections as a means of “save people” local authorities, justifying its invasion by accusing kyiv of “Nazism” and orchestrate a “genocide” Russian speakers in Ukraine. Claiming its control over these new territories, Moscow has once again threatened to use nuclear weapons. “Russia has the right to use nuclear weapons if necessary”said the former president and number two of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev.
A position confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who recalled Russian military doctrine, which provides for the possibility of such strikes in the event of an attack against Russian territory. In the evening, the Pentagon affirmed that Washington “takes these threats seriously”without “adjust its nuclear position for the time being”.
“They have no legitimacy, no value”
On a visit to kyiv, the French Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna, said on BFM-TV that she would not see “no sincerity” in this consultation organized by Moscow: “This is a masquerade. “They have no legitimacy, no value. We will not recognize them, they will lead to sanctions from France, Europe and other States of the international community.she continued. “The European Union is in the process of consulting for an eighth set of sanctions”announced M.me Colonna.
In New York, the United Nations renewed its support for kyiv, during a meeting of the Security Council on the annexation referendums. “Let me repeat that the United Nations remains fully committed to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders”said UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo.
Through the voice of its ambassador to the UN, “China has taken note of the latest developments in the situation in Ukraine” and “our stance” is “clear and constant; that is, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected”said Zhang Jun, while Beijing is accused by Westerners of being too conciliatory with Russia.
Speaking via video message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked “a clear signal from all the countries of the world” : “I believe in your ability to act. » In this sense, the head of American diplomacy, Antony Blinken, repeated that “severe” sanctions against Russia would be taken, in reaction to these annexations, which he described as“diabolical deed”.
The United States, with Albania, “will put on the table a resolution condemning the sham referendums, calling on member states not to recognize any modified status of Ukraine and forcing Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine”said US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
And if Russia uses its right of veto ” to protect himself “, “then we will turn to the General Assembly to send an unambiguous message to Moscow”she added, telling the press that this vote could take place at the end of the week or at the beginning of next week.