The refenrendum for the annexation to Russia in the self-proclaimed Republics of Lugansk and Donetsk , the two great regions of Donbass, will be held from 23 to 27 September. This was decided by the parliaments of the two oblasts, which formally are part of Ukraine. Shortly after came the announcement that a similar referendum will be made on the same dates in the Kherson region, only on 23 September in that of Zaporizhzhia , the latter partly and not entirely in the hands of the Russians.

" The people of Donbass want to be masters of their own destiny ", commented Russian Foreign Minister Serghei Lavrov.

For Kiev, on the other hand, it is a move "dictated by fear" . “Naive blackmail with threats, referendums and mobilizations of those who only know how to fight against children and peaceful people, this is how the fear of defeat appears. Ukraine will resolve the issue, the threat can only be eliminated by force, ”said the head of the Office of Ukrainian President Zelensky, Andriy Yermak. While the Foreign Minister Kuleba affirms that these " fake referendums will not change anything " and that "Ukraine will continue to liberate its territories".

The reaction of the international community lasts. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and French President Emmanuel Macron speak of a " farce referendum " without any legitimacy or legal consequences.

"We will not recognize any annexation, we know that the referendums will be manipulated ," says American National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Erdogan reveals optimism about Putin's intentions: “We met in Uzbekistan and had very in-depth discussions. He is showing me that he is willing to put an end to this situation as soon as possible ”.

(Unioneonline)

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The day by the hour:

Donbass, Putin postpones the speech

For hours diplomats and journalists in Moscow have been waiting for a speech to the nation by President Vladimir Putin, which some independent media had announced for this evening. Eventually some sources close to the Kremlin reported that there will be no speech for tonight, and that

it could instead take place tomorrow. In particular, the chief editor of Russia Today, Margarita Simonyan, wrote on her Telegram channel: "Go to sleep". During the day, rumors ran around the Russian capital that Putin could have announced a mobilization, partial or general, to strengthen Moscow's military commitment in Ukraine.

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Macron: "Russian referendums are a farce"

French President Emmanuel Macron has called the announcement of a referendum in four breakaway regions of Ukraine a "farce", saying it will not have "legal consequences". "I think what Russia has announced is a farce - he said on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly - The only thing that exists is the war decided by Russia, the resistance of Ukraine and the end of the war we want".

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Usa: “Referendum? We will not recognize any annexation "

"The United States will never recognize as Russia's territory those areas of Ukraine where Putin has announced that he wants to hold referendums for annexation." US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said this in a press briefing in a press briefing. "We know that the referendums will be manipulated. They are an affront to Ukraine's sovereignty and a violation of the UN Charter," he stressed.

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Born: "Referendum farce"

"Farce referendums have no legitimacy and do not change the nature of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. This is a further escalation of Putin's war. The international community must condemn this blatant violation of international law and strengthen support. to Ukraine ". NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg writes in a tweet.

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Erdogan urges a "dignified" way out for all

In his speech to the UN General Assembly, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a "dignified way" to get out of the Ukrainian crisis, calling for a peace to be achieved with "diplomatic means that are rational, just and applicable" and that guarantees the sovereignty of Ukraine.

"Together we must find a reasonable solution that offers both sides a dignified solution to the crisis," said Erdogan, after recalling the mediation efforts of Turkey and those of the UN for the export of Ukrainian wheat through the sea ports. Nero, as well as to ensure the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, "which poses a threat to everyone".

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Gentiloni: "Putin's referendums an insult to democracy"

"Putin's referendums in Ukraine to annex occupied territories with arms are an insult to democracy and the United Nations". The European Commissioner for the Economy, Paolo Gentiloni, writes on Twitter.

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Referendum also in Zaporizhzhia

Also in the part of the territory occupied by the Russians of the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia a referendum will take place on September 23 alone for union with Russia. This was announced by Evgeny Balitsky, head of the military-civil administration of the territory, quoted by the Ria Novosti agency. Moscow's forces control only a part of the regional territory, including the city of Ernegodar where the largest nuclear power plant in Europe is located.

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Kuleba: "Fake referendums, we will continue to free territories"

"The fake 'referendums' will not change anything. Neither will any hybrid 'mobilization'. Russia has been and remains an aggressor who illegally occupies parts of Ukrainian territory. Ukraine has every right to liberate its territories and will continue to liberate them. , whatever Russia has to say. " Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba writes this on Twitter after the decision of the separatist republics to hold a referendum on annexation to Russia from 23 to 27 September.

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The Moscow Stock Exchange collapses after the announcement of the referendums

The indexes of the Moscow Stock Exchange collapsed by more than 10% immediately after the announcement of the referendum for the annexation to Russia in the Donbass and the Kherson region. Subsequently there was a partial recovery, with the Moex index which shortly after 3 pm local time (2 pm in Italy) marked a retreat of almost 8% and the RTS index down by 7.76%.

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Referendum also in Kherson

A referendum on annexation to Russia will also take place in the Kherson region of Ukraine from 23 to 27 September. This was announced by Vladimir Saldo, head of the civil-military administration of the region occupied by the Russians, quoted by Interfax.

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Kiev: "Moscow threatens with referendum, but is afraid"

"Naive blackmail with threats and horror stories of 'referendums' and 'mobilizations' of those who only know how to fight against children and peaceful people. This is how the fear of defeat appears. The enemy is afraid, primitively manipulates. Ukraine will solve the problem. Russian question. The threat can only be eliminated by force ". Thus the head of the Office of the Ukrainian President Zelensky, Andriy Yermak, comments on Telegram the announcement of a referendum in the occupied regions and the tightening of the Duma penalties in the case of those dodging the "general mobilization" draft.

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Lavrov: "The people of Donbass want to be masters of their own destiny"

"The people of Donbass want to be masters of their own destiny". This was said by Russian Foreign Minister Serghei Lavrov about the referendums in the self-proclaimed pro-Russian republics on union with Russia. This was reported by the Ria Novosti agency.

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Referendum on the annexation of Donetsk and Lugansk to Russia from 23 to 27 September

The referendum in the self-proclaimed Republic of Lugansk on annexation with Russia will take place from 23 to 27 September. This was stated by the deputy president of Parliament, Dmitry Khoroshilov, quoted by Tass. Same referendum will take place on the same days in the self-proclaimed Republic of Donetsk.

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Erdogan: "I have the impression that Putin wants to end the war"

"In Uzbekistan, I met with President Putin and we had very in-depth discussions with him. And he is showing me that he is willing to end this situation as soon as possible. That was my impression, because the way he things are going now is rather problematic; 200 hostages will be exchanged following an agreement between the parties. I think it will take a significant step forward. " Thus the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in an interview with the American TV Pbs, reported by the Guardian, adding that his goal "is to put an end to this battle with peace".

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Moscow, "the referendums for the annexation of the Donbass must be held"

"The referendums in Donbass are of great importance not only for the systemic protection of the residents of the Republic of Lugansk and Donetsk and other liberated territories, but also for the restoration of historical justice". Thus the vice-president of the Russian Security Council, Dmitri Medvedev, pushes on Telegram to hold the annexation referendums in the so-called pro-Russian separatist republics in Ukraine. "The invasion of the territory of Russia is a crime that allows the use of all self-defense forces", he adds, explaining that for this reason the referendums "are so feared in Kiev and in the West" and "must be held".

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Kiev, "Russian soldiers transport ferry destroyed"

The Ukrainian military sank a ferry carrying Russian troops and equipment across the Dnieper River near Nova Kakhovka in the Kherson region. The Kyiv Independent reports. In a statement on Facebook, the Ukrainian army said that: "Attempts to build a passage did not withstand the fire of the Ukrainian forces and were stopped."

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