Figures in Russia close to the Russian government have taken to social media to warn the West not to accept Russia’s territorial gains or risk a “full-fledged war”. Former Russian president and Putin supporter Dmitry Medvedev said: “Entering Russian territory is a crime where all forces of self-defense can be used.”
The editor-in-chief of the Russian RT TV channel Margarita Simonian wrote: “Today a referendum, tomorrow recognition as part of the Russian Federation, the day after tomorrow attacks on Russian territory will turn into a full-fledged war between Ukraine and NATO and Russia, in which Russia will no longer is bound.”
Zelenskyy left
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was more demonstratively calm about announcing mock referendums on the annexation of his country’s occupied territories to Russia. “Our position has not been changed by noise or announcements,” he said in his video address on Tuesday evening. “We defend Ukraine, we liberate our country and, most importantly, we show no weakness.”
Zelensky thanked the unanimous condemnation of the Russian plans by many countries and organizations. “We have the full support of our partners,” he said in Kiev. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, he said he wanted to make Ukraine’s position clear and unambiguous. He will be connected to New York via video.
Referendum from Friday
The Moscow-backed separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as the war-conquered regions of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhya, are planning referendums from September 23 to 27. The simultaneous referendums without any checks amount to a swift union with Russia and are seen as Moscow’s response to Ukraine’s counter-offensive in the east of the country. Similarly, in 2014 Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
