Russia Holds 'Annexation Votes' Across Occupied Territories... Western Countries Condemn as 'Illegitimate Fake'

(Photo by Reuters)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo Yujin] Russia has begun a referendum to formally annex the Ukrainian territories it occupies. The vote was moved up from the originally scheduled date as Ukraine's offensive intensified, signaling an intention to block Western arms aid to Ukraine. Western countries strongly condemned the move, saying it is highly likely to be a sham vote, similar to the forced annexation of Crimea in 2014.

According to major foreign media on the 20th (local time), Russia will hold a five-day referendum from the 23rd to the 27th for annexation in the eastern Donbas region (Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts) and the southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts of Ukraine.

The regions targeted for annexation are all either occupied by Russian forces or controlled by pro-Russian separatist groups. Russia had initially expected to hold the vote on November 4, the "Day of National Unity," but the referendum was abruptly decided as Ukraine recaptured most of eastern Kharkiv oblast and threatened Kherson and Luhansk oblasts. Russia had also formalized the forced annexation of Crimea through a referendum in 2014.

Foreign media analyzed that this annexation would allow Russia to block Western arms aid to Ukraine. If Russia annexes additional territories, Western arms supplies to Ukraine could be considered attacks on Russia itself. The $40 billion arms aid to Ukraine under the U.S. Ukraine Support Act is set to expire at the end of this month, and new legislation would be required for further support.

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council and a close aide to President Vladimir Putin, said, "Invading Russian territory is a crime, and all rights to self-defense will be exercised." He added that this referendum is "the restoration of historical justice" and will "completely change the direction of Russia's development for decades."

Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor, said at a White House briefing on the 20th (local time) regarding reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing a mobilization order, "It means that Russia is struggling in Ukraine," and added, "As more world leaders publicly distance themselves from Russia, Russia is desperately trying to gather personnel to deploy in the war."

Western countries fiercely condemned the referendum as an illegitimate "sham vote." Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor, condemned it as a "sham referendum that directly violates Ukraine's sovereignty" during a White House briefing.

He continued, calling the referendum "an insult to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, which are the foundation of the international system and the core of the UN Charter," and stated, "The United States will never recognize any Russian claims to any Ukrainian territory."

He added, "We clearly reject Russia's actions and will work with allies and partners to impose costs on Russia and provide support to Ukraine."

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), led by the United States, expressed concern that Russia's move escalates the war. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, "This referendum heightens the threat of war," and criticized it as a "'fake' referendum with no legitimacy that does not change the nature of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine."

French President Emmanuel Macron also stated at the UN General Assembly general debate held at the UN Headquarters in New York that Russia's plan to hold the referendum "has no legal meaning."

President Macron called Russia's announcement a "botched job" and said, "This new provocation will not change our position at all." He added, "The very idea of organizing a referendum in a region suffering from the pains of war is the height of cynicism."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.