KONTAN.CO.ID – ZAPORIZHZHIA. Surprisingly, Vladimir Putin proclaimed Russia’s annexation of parts of Ukraine in a magnificent Kremlin ceremony. In his speech, Putin promised that Moscow would win in “special military operations”.

Launch Reuters, Russia’s proclamation of control of 15% of Ukrainian territory became the largest act of annexation in Europe since World War II. However, the annexation has been categorically rejected by Ukraine and Western countries who accuse it of being illegal. The United States, Britain and Canada have announced new sanctions related to Russia’s actions.

According to Putin, the four Ukrainian regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia – which Putin says are part of Russia have made historic choices.

“They made the choice to be with their people, their homeland, to live with their destiny and to win with them. The truth is on our side. Russia is with us!” Putin explained to his country’s political elite, who had gathered in one of the largest halls in the Kremlin to watch him sign the annexation documents.

Russia organized the so-called referendum, which Kyiv and Western governments have denounced as illegal and coercive.

“We will defend our land with all our might and by all means,” Putin added.

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He called on the Kyiv regime to immediately cease hostilities and return to the negotiating table.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy said his country had submitted an accelerated application to join the NATO military alliance. He stressed that his country will not hold peace talks with Russia as long as Putin is president.

Putin’s proclamation coincided with the siege of Russian troops in one of the four territories annexed by Ukrainian forces. These conditions show how weak Russia’s grip on some of the areas it claims is.

In one of his harshest anti-American speeches in more than two decades in power, Putin signaled his readiness to continue what he called the battle for a “more historic Russia.”

Putin denounced Western countries for wanting to destroy Russia and, without evidence, accused Washington and its allies of blowing up the Nord Stream gas pipeline.

US President Joe Biden said it was an act of deliberate sabotage and that Russia is now breathing in misinformation and lies. Biden also added that Washington and its allies would send divers to find out what happened.

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Ukraine and NATO

In Ukraine, Zelenskiy said he was only ready for peace talks if Russia had a new president.

He also announced that Ukraine is officially applying for accelerated NATO membership, which Moscow strongly opposes. Zelenskiy accused Russia of redrawing the border using murder, extortion, persecution and lies.

However, he said that Kyiv remained committed to the idea of ​​coexistence with Russia under equal, honest, dignified and just conditions.

“Obviously, with the Russian president it is impossible. He does not know what dignity and honesty are. Therefore, we are ready to dialogue with Russia, but with another Russian president,” he said. said Zelenskiy.