Russia warned on Friday that it will view any attempt to recapture Ukrainian regions that choose to integrate into the Russian Federation as an attack on its territorial integrity.
The announcement was made by Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov on the day voting began in the Russian-controlled regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, in the Donbass, and Kherson and Zaporijia. You can vote until September 27.
Asked at the daily press conference whether Ukraine’s attempts to retake the annexed territories would be considered attacks on Russia, Peskov was adamant, “absolutely,” he replied, according to the official TASS news agency.
Peskov admitted proceedings would follow the integration vote, but said the process would be swift.
“If there is any entry of these territories into the Russian Federation, then the relevant provisions of our constitution will already work”said Kremlin spokesperson
The President of the Council of the Russian Federation, the Upper House, Valentina Matvienko, said Friday that this body will take all measures “as soon as possible” for the accession of the four regions to the Russian Federation.
Pro-Russian officials in Kherson said they expected 750,000 people to vote, while in Zaporijia 500,000 people are registered to vote, according to Russia’s TASS news agency.
In both cases, participants are asked to answer a question: “Are you in favor of the region leaving Ukraine, establishing an independent state and becoming part of Russia?”. In the case of Donetsk and Lugansk, voters will be asked whether they support “the republic’s accession to Russia as a constituent entity of the Russian Federation”.
Ukraine and the international community do not recognize the legitimacy of the consultations.
Putin also warned that Moscow could use “all means” in the event of a “threat to Russia’s territorial integrity”, including nuclear weapons.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Thursday called on all states to reject attempts at “territorial conquest” by Russia, stressing that Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporijia are all part of Ukraine.
Source: DN
