Amidst the Ukraine war, Russian officials installed in regions claimed by Russia are claiming almost ‘total’ support through the so-called referendum. Here’s more on the matters on the ground.
Ukrine war and Russian referendums
Russian officials installed by Moscow in the Russian-held regions of Ukraine claim ‘almost total support in the regions. people in the four regions took part in disputed votes for joining Russia. However, the Ukrainian government and its allies are denouncing these polls. Moreover, the process did not involve independent monitoring owing to the absence of international recognition. The votes were held in Donetsk and Luhansk in the eastern regions. Additionally, ballots were held in the southern regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson in the Russian-occupied regions.
Refugees scattered across Russia voted at several polling stations including Crimea. Pro-Kremlin news agencies report 99.23 percent voting rates toward joining Russia following the Ukraine war. However, such high percentages are unusual. Several speculations suggest President Vladimir Putin is going to announce the annexation of the four regions in Russia’s parliament on Friday. In 2014, he announced Crimea joining Russia a few days following an unrecognized referendum in the annexed region.
Sanctions and moves against Russia
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President is accusing Russia of “brutally violating the UN statute”. “This farce in the occupied territory cannot even be called an imitation of referendums. It is a very cynical attempt to force men in the occupied territory of Ukraine to mobilize into the Russian army to send them to fight against their homeland!” he added. China, respecting the referendum stating, “sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected”.
Additionally, Dmytro Kuleba the Ukrainian Foreign Minister is calling on the EU to impose more restrictions on Russia as the Ukraine war situation is escalating. “We need an extremely serious, effective response with specific things that will hit the Russian economy. The softer the reaction to the so-called referendums. The greater the motivation for Russia to escalate and annex further territories,” said Kuleba.