Putin announces the creation of four Russian administrative regions in Ukraine

September 30 (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin on Friday formalized Russia’s annexation of the four regions of eastern Ukraine consulted by referendum, in the name of the “right to self-determination of peoples”.

“It is the will of millions of people,” he said during an official ceremony attended by hundreds of dignitaries as part of the Hall of the Order of St. George, in the Kremlin.

This proclamation, a sign of the Russian leader’s determination, came three days after the end of the referendums organized in the four regions concerned – and not recognized by the international community – which concluded with a “yes” to annexation to some 99%.

“The inhabitants of Lugansk (Louhansk in Ukrainian-Editor’s note) and Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporijjia become our citizens forever”, underlined Vladimir Putin, adding that the populations had voted “unequivocally” for “a common future”.

“Four new Russian regions” will thus be formed, he said, under agreements that have yet to be signed.

Vladimir Putin, applauded several times, called on Ukraine, invaded by the Russian army on February 24, to “a ceasefire” and to return to the negotiating table.

“The Soviet Union doesn’t exist anymore, we can’t go back to the past anymore, but Russia doesn’t need it anymore, doesn’t need that anymore,” he said. (Reuters Offices, Writing by Sophie Louet, Editing by Kate Entringer and Tangi Salaün)