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Russia plans to annex extra Ukrainian territory utilizing the same “playbook” to its takeover of Crimea, the US says.
Citing US intelligence, Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby mentioned Russia is already laying the groundwork for annexation, experiences BBC.
Occupied areas of Ukraine might maintain “sham” referenda on becoming a member of Russia as quickly as September, he mentioned.
Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 after a referendum which was extensively considered as illegitimate.
“We wish to make it plain to the American individuals,” Mr Kirby informed reporters. “No person is fooled by it. [Russian President Vladimir Putin] is dusting off the playbook from 2014.”
He accused Russia of putting in illegitimate pro-Russian officers to run occupied areas of Ukraine, with the purpose of organising referenda on changing into a part of Russia.
The outcomes of the votes could be utilized by Russia “to attempt to declare annexation of sovereign Ukrainian territory”, Mr Kirby mentioned.
Russia has already put in its personal regional and native officers within the elements of Ukraine it has occupied.
Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 after a hastily-organised referendum – considered as unlawful by the worldwide group, through which voters selected to affix Russia.
Many supporters of Kyiv boycotted the vote and the marketing campaign was neither free nor truthful.
Related votes held in different elements of Ukraine would nearly definitely see the same scenario, with any opposition to becoming a member of Russia largely suppressed.
Mr Kirby mentioned he was “exposing” the Russian plans “so the world is aware of that any purported annexation is premeditated, unlawful and illegitimate”, and promised there could be a fast response from the US and its allies.
The areas focused for annexation embody Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk, he mentioned.
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