Russia Seeks to Annex Large Part of Eastern Ukraine
The United States has intelligence showing that Russia intends to annex a large portion of eastern Ukraine to its territory and formally recognize the independence of Kherson. The U.S. ambassador said Washington and its allies will not recognize such actions.
Based on U.S. intelligence, Russia intends to annex a large part of eastern Ukraine to its territory this month and also formally recognize the independence of the Kherson Republic.
According to Michael Carpenter, the U.S. representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Russia’s intention, which is not unexpected for the United States, “stems directly from the Kremlin’s tactical tricks.” He stated that the United States and its allies will not recognize such action.
The United States and its allies also have intelligence indicating that Moscow intends to annex the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk to Russia by holding “sham referendums” in these regions.
Meanwhile, there are signs suggesting that Russia wants to hold a referendum on autonomy in Kherson. According to Carpenter, the Kremlin wants to give its actions a democratic appearance by holding these referendums. He emphasized that such referendums are illegal.
“Russia’s only way out: Surrender”
Ukraine’s National Security Council says that given the successful resistance of the Ukrainian army against Russian forces, Moscow has no choice but to surrender. Oleksiy Danilov, a member of this council, speaking on Ukrainian television, said he is confident that this war will end not with a peace agreement but with Russia’s surrender.
Source: DW
