A few days before the outbreak of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the head of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin (69), officially said nothing about the annexation of Ukrainian territories.
When his spy chief Sergey Naryshkin, 67, spoke at a security meeting on February 21 to support “the proposal to include the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics in the Russian Federation,” Putin immediately corrected the stuttering Naryshkin. – We don’t talk about it. We don’t talk about it. We are talking about recognizing their independence or not, said the Russian president at the time.
Now, more than three months later, this scenario seems more and more likely for the Kremlin.
The general secretary of Putin’s United Russia party, Andrei Turchak (46), announced in an interview with the news agency Ria Novosti that these two regions should become part of Russia. He said Wednesday that he “had no doubts” that they would join Russia.
Kherson should belong to Russia
If all goes according to his ideas, the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions should also belong to Russia in the future. “The Ukrainian Kherson Oblast and the areas within the borders of the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics will become part of Russia, as will Zaporizhia Oblast, where the referendum is to be held as soon as the situation permits,” said Turchak.
The decision should be made by the residents themselves. And he was sure they would vote for it. There is no doubt that the region will be part of the Russian Federation, said Turczak. “People want protection and stability so that they can finally find the long-awaited and lasting peace after eight years of West-legitimated bandit terror.” “Banderici” is an insulting term for supporters of the Ukrainian nationalist Stepan Bandera (1909-1959). He fought the Nazis against the Soviet Army and participated in the murdering of Jews.
In early May, a Moscow politician said during a visit to the city of Kherson occupied by Russian troops: “Russia is here forever!”. Much to the dissatisfaction of the Ukrainian leadership. Mikhail Podolyak (50), adviser to President Volodomir Zelensky (44), said then: “There will be no Kherson People’s Republic.” The area will be completely liberated, costing the lives of many Russian soldiers.
“60 or 70 percent will vote for the merger.”
So far there is no trace of this liberation. Kherson is still occupied by Russian troops. Instead, Kirill Stremoussov (45), deputy head of the pro-Russian military administration in Kherson, talks about the future in Russian territory.
Deputy head of military administration: “I see Kherson Oblast as part of Russia” (01:36)
“I perceive the Kherson Oblast – I am emphasizing the Oblast, not a republic – as part of the Russian Federation. The question of when we will be there depends on the people of Kherson, ”said Ria Novosti. In his opinion, it will happen soon. Stremoussow announced that he intends to hold a referendum in the near future. “At least 60 percent or even 70 percent of the population will vote for the union with Russia,” he said confidently.
In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula. Following the escalation of the Maidan protests in Kiev and the outbreak of violent clashes, the situation in Crimea has come to the fore. The clandestine operation “Russian Spring” in Crimea in 2014 proceeded rapidly: on March 16, in an unrecognized referendum on the international forum, a vote was held for the reunification of the peninsula and about two million of its inhabitants with Russia. (guy)