Russia annexes four Ukrainian regions: "The people have made their choice"

Since the occupation governments in the regions announced referendums on joining the Russian Federation, the outcome has been expected.

After the votes in the rigged polls were presented, it was not long before Putin announced in a live speech that the areas would be annexed.

It is the fifth Ukrainian region to be annexed by Russia – in 2014 Crimea was admitted to the federation following a similar approach.

- The people in the territories of Ukraine have chosen to be with their people, their motherland, Putin said in the speech.

"Standing and lying"

But the rigged referendums are irrelevant to whether the annexation is legal or not.

- When Putin says that this is in accordance with international law, he is lying, says SVT's Russia correspondent Bert Sundström.

Russian forces currently control parts of the regions, but even the areas under Ukrainian control are covered by the annexation.

Ukrainian offensives to regain lost territory are now seen by Russia as attacks on the country.

- There is a very serious consequence of this.

At the same time, it is difficult to understand that they can do this annexation when they do not control the entire area, says SVT's foreign reporter Elin Jönsson.

Demands Ukrainian withdrawal

In the speech, Putin also promised to rebuild the occupied regions and called on Ukraine to come to the negotiating table and suspend all military activity in the area.

Then he signed the federal law that will incorporate the regions of Russia.

Condemned by the West

After Putin's announcement, condemnations poured in from Western countries.

The EU came out and declared support for Ukraine and stated that the countries of the Union will never accept the annexation.

- All areas illegally occupied by Russian invasion forces are Ukrainian land and will always belong to this independent nation, says Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in a statement.