Pengpai News reporter Nanboyi
On September 20 local time, the "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic" established by itself and recognized by Russia, as well as the four places in southern Ukraine, which are now controlled by Russia, announced that they will hold a referendum on joining the Russian Federation from September 23 to 27.
Russian President Putin said in a video speech on the 521st, "We will support the decisions made by citizens of the above-mentioned regions in the referendum."
Residents in the Zaporoze region of Ukraine held a rally before the referendum on Russia.
Four places held referendums at the same time
Khlsong, Zaporoze and other places had long stated that they would hold referendums in Russia in the local area, but they were repeatedly postponed due to factors such as "for security reasons". According to TASS , on September 19, the "Civic Chamber" of the two "People's Republics" called on the leaders of the two "People's Republics" to hold a referendum on joining Russia immediately.
htmlOn 20, Donetsk and Lugansk's "Parliament" announced unanimously passing the "Referendum Law": All citizens over 18 years old, regardless of where they are, are eligible to vote, including those in Russia or "liberated areas". According to Denis Miroshnichenko, the chairman of Luhansk's "People's Committee", local citizens will be asked a question: "Do you support Luhansk's entry into Russia as a constituent entity of the Russian Federation?"Luhansk's "Central Election Commission" said that the voting results will be announced within 5 days. Luhansk leader Pushlin also requested Russian President Putin to consider the issue of his accession to the Russian Federation as soon as possible after the referendum results are made.
Donetsk and Lugansk said that their preparation process will be coordinated and synchronized, which involves voting-related experts to ensure transparency. Luhansk also plans to invite international observers to participate in the referendum. Donetsk and Khlsson said that voting is allowed online and offline.
According to the Russian Satellite News Agency on September 20, the Russian investigation agency INSOMAR interviewed 1,000 respondents in four regions, namely Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporoze and Khlsson on September 19. The survey results show that when asked whether to participate in the voting on whether to participate in the territorial ownership of the region, 80% of Donetsk respondents were willing to participate; 14% were unwilling; and 6% were unable to answer. In Luhansk, 83% said they were willing to participate; 12% would not participate; and 5% had difficulty answering. In Zaporoze, 72% of people are willing to participate; 14% give the opposite opinion; and just as many (14%) are difficult to answer. In the Kherson area, 65% are preparing to vote; 24% are reluctant to vote; and 11% have difficulty answering.
TASS reported that the Kherson administration expects turnout to be as high as 80%. Kirill Stremousov, the "Lieutenant Governor", said the security of the referendum would be guaranteed. He also said he hopes Russia recognizes the region after the referendum. "The Russian army controls 95% of Khlsson's territory, and hopes that the result of the referendum to Russia will make people's lives safer in Khlsson," said Stremusov.
Zaboroze Chief Executive Balitsky said that joining Russia will guarantee the freedom, life, peace, mutual understanding and well-being of the people in the region.
"Major upgrade"?
According to Reuters , after Donetsk and other places proposed to immediately hold a referendum on joining the Russian Federation on the 20th, many European and American countries expressed their condemnation, saying that such referendum was "meaningless."
"Russians can do what they want to do. This will not change anything." Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kureba said that Ukraine has full right to liberate its territory and will continue to liberate. US National Security Advisor Sullivan also said that Washington explicitly opposes any such referendum. EU and Canada condemn the plan. The EU and its member states will not recognize the referendum results and will consider taking further measures against Russia if the referendum is underway, said Borrelli, vice president of the EU Executive Committee and senior representative of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Vice Chairman of the Russian Federation Security Conference Medvedev 20 said: "The referendum should be held in the Donbas region. The referendum is of great significance not only to systematically protect residents, but also to restore historical justice. If Russian territory is directly attacked, Russia will be able to use all its forces to defend itself. This is why these referendums make Kiev and the West so scared."
Al Jazeera reported on September 20 that Russia does not have full control over any of the four regions that are preparing to conduct a referendum in Russia, and only about 60% of the land in the Donetsk region is in the hands of Russia. Reuters said that the total area of the four places holding the referendum accounts for about 15% of Ukrainian territory, which is equivalent to the land area of Hungary .
Al Jazeera reported that if the above four regions finally pass the referendum to Russia and get recognition from Russia, there will be a risk of Russia's direct military confrontation with NATO on the Russian-Ukrainian battlefield. Since NATO member states have provided weapons to Ukraine since the outbreak of the conflict, Russia has also expressed protests and dissatisfaction with this, and the outside world has repeatedly warned that it may lead to the occurrence of World War III.
Al Jazeera said that given that Ukraine is currently conducting a counterattack and "making some progress", "entry into Russia" in Donetsk and other places will be a "major upgrade."
Stanovaya, head of the Russian Political Analysis Center R.Politik, said that all discussions on the referendum were "absolutely clear ultimatums" issued by Russia to Ukraine and the West.
According to TASS, on September 21 local time, Putin delivered a video speech, announcing the signing of a "partial mobilization order" to "liberate" Donbas. "The West has shown that it does not want peace between Ukraine and Russia." Putin said those who are trying to "ranspeckle Russia with nuclear weapons " should know that the wind direction may change.
Russian Defense Minister Shoigu said in a subsequent video interview that the "partial mobilization order" will involve 300,000 reserve personnel. It is reported that Russia has a total of 25 million reserve personnel.
Senior editor of this issue Xingtan
