Russian President Vladimir Putin announced, during a speech in the Kremlin, the annexation of four occupied regions in Ukraine following a referendum held for residents of the regions in question.

“In the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk and in the regions of Lugansk and Donetsk there were referendums. Their results are known and show an unequivocal choice. Today we sign the agreement to accept them into the Russian Federation. This is the wish of more than a million people. This is their right that cannot be taken away, written in the UN constitution.”

“Previous generations founded Russia, fought, and founded new cities. We will always remember the heroes of World War II.”

The President of Russia also addressed the Ukrainians:

“We will remember all those who died for the sake of speaking their native language – the citizens, the women, the elderly, Russians and Ukrainians, people of many nationalities.”

Source: Arutz Sheva