“Our intelligence sees confirmation that Russia is planning an accession referendum in Kherson, Zaporozhye and the so-called DNR and LNR… We expect Russia to manipulate the results to falsely claim that people from Ukraine want to join Russia,” quotes an RIA Novosti official.
According to him, Washington does not recognize the annexation of Ukrainian territories to Russia.
He also said that there is a consensus in Ukraine that citizens are against such actions.
“We will respond quickly and harshly (to Russia’s actions. -
RT
) ... Any referenda arranged by Russia will not be fair and honest,” the American official added.
As previously reported, referendums on joining Russia Zaporozhye and Kherson regions can be held on the same day.
The date of the referendum on the accession of the Donetsk People's Republic to Russia will be determined after the complete liberation of the DPR.
The press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov previously stressed that the residents themselves want to hold referendums in the liberated territories of Ukraine.