Four Russian-controlled regions of eastern and southern Ukraine announced plans Tuesday to start voting this week to become integral parts of Russia. Canada denounces Russia’s planned “referendums” in occupied regions of Ukraine. A senior U.S. State Department official said there will be "increased consequences" if Russia annexes parts of Ukraine. Pressure inside Russia for votes and from Moscow-backed leaders in Ukrainian regions that Moscow controls increased after a Ukrainian counteroffensive — bolstered by Western-supplied weaponry — that has recaptured large areas. He also repeated his long-held position that the Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014, should be returned to Ukraine.

Source: The Guardian September 20, 2022 18:32 UTC