Putin signs treaties annexing Ukrainian regions KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties Friday to annex occupied areas of Ukraine and said he would use “all available means” to protect the territory that Ukrainian and Western officials said Russia was claiming illegitimately and in violation of international law. In a speech preceding the treaty-signing ceremony, Putin urged Ukraine to sit down for talks to end the seven months of fighting that started when he ordered his troops to invade the neighboring country. But he warned that Russia would never give up the absorbed regions and would protect them as part of its sovereign territory. https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-moscow-referendums-dad270d8dccf8873ba7fe7758c387933?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=TopNews&utm_campaign=position_01
Putin's Full Annexation Speech 9.30.22 (English)- begins at 26:52
Vladimir Putin hosts a signing ceremony for the annexation of four areas of Ukraine
Streamed live 8 hours ago
Sky News
President Vladimir Putin has formally recognised four Ukrainian territories as Russian following internationally-condemned referenda.
START OF WWIII POSTPONED AGAIN - NEW DATE 10/4
During a ceremony conducted this afternoon, this report continues, President Putin signed the treaties incorporating the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republic, as well as the regions of Kherson and Zaporozhye, into the Russian Federation, then he declared: “We call on the Kiev regime to cease all hostilities, stop the war it started back in 2014 and return to the negotiating table…However, Moscow will not betray the territories that want to become a part of Russia…People have made their choice…A clear one…That is the only way for peace”.
Upon President Putin signing these treaties, this report details, they must be submitted to the Constitutional Court to ensure they comply with Russian law—once they are cleared, the treaties have to be ratified by the lower house, the State Duma, and the upper house of parliament, the Federal Council—only after that will the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republic and the regions of Kherson and Zaporozhye officially become integrated into the Russian Federation—and the next session of the Federal Council when this will occur is planned for 4 October.
>Ukraine submits application to join NATO: Zelensky
Zelenskyy says Ukraine 'must admit' it won't join NATO and its people must 'rely on themselves and our partners who help us'
Rebecca Cohen and John Haltiwanger
Mar 15, 2022, 11:37 AM
https://www.businessinsider.com/zelenskyy-says-ukraine-admit-it-wont-join-nato-russia-invasion-2022-3
NATO Won’t Let Ukraine Join Soon. Here’s Why.
By Edward Wong and Lara Jakes
Published Jan. 13, 2022Updated March 16, 2022
Volodymyr Zelensky Says Ukraine Won't Join NATO
By Brendan Cole On 3/15/22 at 10:28 AM EDT
'I can’t imagine our future differently’: Donbass residents explain why they voted to join Russia
