On 30 September 2022, Vladimir Putin said that four Ukrainian oblasts would now be part of Russia. These are the oblasts Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. These oblasts make up about 15% of the territory of Ukraine. Before the annexation, the people were asked if they wanted to join Russia. Because this vote happened during a conflict, and was done by one of the parties involved in the conflict, it is against international law.[3] Because of the conflict, much of the population had left.[4]
Part of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and Russo-Ukrainian War | |
![]() Areas annexed, but not fully controlled by Russia in striped yellow-red | |
Date | 30 September 2022 |
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Location | Southern and Eastern Ukraine |
Organised by | ![]() |
Outcome |
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This annexation is the largest in Europe, beating Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea.[5] It also made a land connection between Crimea and European Russia.[6]
Because of the problems involved, no other state recognized this annexation except for North Korea.[7] Ukraine, the European Union, the United States, and the United Nations have all said that the referendums and annexation had no legal basis or effect.[8]
As a response to the annexation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would apply to join NATO.[9]
The size of the territory annexed is about 90,000 km2 (35,000 sq mi), comparable to the size of Hungary or Portugal.[10]
On 27 September, Russian officials claimed that the annexation "referendum" in Zaporizhzhia Oblast passed, with 93.11% of voters in favour of joining the Russian Federation.[11]
Another problem is that fighting is still ongoing, and Russian forces do not control all of the territory they claim they annexed.
Reactions
A United Nations Security Council meeting was held on 30 September 2022 to vote on a resolution to punish Russia on annexation of these territories, resulting in 10 yes votes, 1 no vote and 4 abstentions. The resolution failed to pass due to Russia vetoing it. Brazil, China, Gabon, and India abstained from the vote.[lower-alpha 1]
Ukrainian response
On 7 August 2022, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said that "if the occupiers proceed along the path of pseudo-referendums they will close for themselves any chance of talks with Ukraine and the free world, which the Russian side will clearly need at some point."[13] After the ceremony of annexation, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would not negotiate with Russia "as long as Putin is president", and requested a "fast-track" NATO membership in response.[14]
Related pages
Notes
- Yes: France, United Kingdom, United States, Albania, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, United Arab Emirates.
Abstention: Brazil, China, Gabon, India.
No: Russia.[12]
References
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