The decrees mark another step on the four former Ukrainian territories’ way into becoming a part of Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed two decrees recognizing the former Ukrainian regions, Kherson and Zaporozhye, as independent sovereign territories. The decrees come into force immediately.
In the documents, the head of state refers to the universally recognized principles and norms of international law, the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, enshrined in the UN Charter.
The move comes on the eve of the official ceremony where the Russian president will sign the treaties on incorporating Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, as well as the two Donbass republics, into Russia.
Referendums on joining Russia were held in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR), as well as in Zaporozhye and Kherson regions between September 23 and 27.
In the Kherson region, 87.05% voted in favor of declaring independence and joining the Russian Federation. Zaporozhye Region highly supported the idea of splitting from Ukraine and joining Russia, with 93,23% of voters backing it. In the DPR, 99.23% of those who voted were in favor, while LPR showed a slightly lower figure of 98.42%.
After Putin signs the treaties on the accession of new regions into Russia, the documents will be submitted to Russia’s Constitutional Court. After that, the State Duma – the lower house of the Russian parliament – will have to ratify the agreements, which will then be sent to the Federal Council, its upper house, for the same procedure.
The Donbass republics as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye may become a part of Russia no sooner than the lawmakers pass a new legislation on their incorporation, and the correspoding law is signed by Putin.
