The prorussian authorities of the Louhansk, Donetsk, Zaporijia and Kherson regions have announced the upcoming holding of referendums of attachment to Moscow.
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The choice of the moment probably owes nothing to chance. The announcement of referendums of attachment to Russia of the territories which it occupies in Ukraine coincided, Tuesday, September 20, with the first debates of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, shifted by day due to funeral From Queen Elizabeth II to the United Kingdom. The precipitated decision of the prorussian authorities of the regions of Louhansk, Donetsk, Zaporijia and Kherson to organize such consultations between September 23 and 27 aroused surprises and convictions, especially among the allies of Ukraine in Europe and the United States . In these countries, the initiative is seen as a way for Vladimir Putin, absent from the UN debates, to try to regain control, even if it means arouing a new escalation with Westerners, after weeks of decline in his troops on the ground facing to the counter-offensive of Ukrainian forces.
Shortly before intervening in the United Nations gallery, Emmanuel Macron denounced an “additional provocation” and a “parody of democracy”. For the head of state, “the very idea of organizing referendums in regions that have known the war, which have suffered bombings, where people had to flee, is the signing of cynicism”. The results of these polls will not be “not recognized”, insofar as the conditions are “absolutely not met” to organize them, he judged.
a little later at the gallery, Mr. Macron demanded the withdrawal of Russia from these territories and denounced a “return to the age of imperialisms and colonies”. “Today, we have a war and it is an annexation war,” he said. The tone is in unison with that of the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz: “It is very clear that these fictitious referendums are not acceptable and that they are not covered by international law”, commented on the sidelines from the New York meeting. “All this is only an attempt at imperialist aggression that we want to dress,” added the chancellor, calling on Russia to remove his troops.
“It is not Showing your strength is the opposite “
Washington also did not expect Joe Biden’s intervention before the General Assembly, Wednesday, September 21, to force the initiative forcefully. “The United States will never recognize Russia’s claims on allegedly annexed parties from Ukraine,” said Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor. For him, these referendums testify above all to the recent military failures of the Russian forces, which had to retreat in several regions conquered by arms. “These are not measures that a country is sure of himself would take, he noted. It is not showing his strength, it is the opposite.” “We will continue to cooperate with Ukraine and our partners International to provide her with the support she needs to defend her territory, “said Pentagon.
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