Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of two regions in southern Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, according to presidential decrees published this Thursday, before completing the annexation of these occupied territories.
“I order to recognize the sovereignty of the state and the independence” of the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, Putin informed in these decrees.
The formal annexation to Russia of these two territories, as well as those of Donetsk and Lugansk in the east, under partial control of pro-Russian separatists since 2014, is scheduled for Friday.
Moscow had admitted the independence of the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk in late February, shortly before beginning its military intervention in Ukraine.
In September, the Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Lugansk regions organized annexation “referendums” denounced as illegitimate by Ukraine and its western allies.
Pro-Russian officials in these occupied regions assured that the vast majority of voters supported the annexation, results not recognized by Kiev or the Western powers.
On Friday afternoon, the Kremlin organizes a ceremony to formalize its incorporation into Russia.
