Moscow is about to annex a swath of Ukraine, releasing what it called vote tallies showing support in four partially occupied provinces to join Russia
It looks like Russia is poised to annex a large chunk of Ukraine.
This comes after so-called referendums were held in four occupied provinces, which showed overwhelming support for joining Russia.
Of course, these referendums were anything but legitimate. They were held at gunpoint and were widely denounced by Kyiv and the West as sham votes.
“They can announce anything they want. Nobody voted in the referendum except a few people who switched sides. They went from house to house but nobody came out,” said Lyubomir Boyko, 43, from Golo Pristan, a village in Russian-occupied Kherson province.
People attend a rally and a concert in support of annexation referendums in Russian-held regions of Ukraine, in Saint Petersburg on September 23, 2022.
Moscow takes charge
Nevertheless, it looks like Moscow is moving ahead with its plans to absorb these Ukrainian regions. A tribune has been set up on Red Square, with giant video screens proclaiming “Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson – Russia!”
The Russian-installed administrations of the four Ukrainian provinces on Wednesday formally asked Putin to incorporate them into Russia, which Russian officials have suggested is a formality.
“The results are clear. Welcome home, to Russia!,” Dmitry Medvedev, a former president who serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said on Telegram.
It’s expected that President Vladimir Putin will give a speech within days confirming the annexation. This would mean that, in just over a week, Putin has gone from endorsing the sham referendums to formalizing the annexation of Ukrainian territory.
This latest development is sure to increase tensions between Russia and the West. It also further diminishes the chances of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Ahron Young is an award winning journalist who has covered major news events around the world. Ahron is the Managing Editor and Founder of TICKER NEWS.
In a closed-door vote, Senator Thune takes on a pivotal leadership role as Senate Republicans look to the future.
In a significant shift within Senate Republican leadership, Senator John Thune of South Dakota has been elected as the new Senate GOP leader, taking over from long-time leader Senator Mitch McConnell.
The decision came after a secret ballot vote among GOP members, marking the end of McConnell’s influential tenure.
Thune, who has served as Senate Minority Whip, is widely recognized for his strategic acumen and steady approach to party leadership.
His appointment signals both continuity and potential change as Senate Republicans prepare to navigate a challenging legislative environment and upcoming elections.
With McConnell stepping back, questions arise about how Thune’s leadership will shape GOP strategies on key issues, from fiscal policy to judicial appointments.
Analysts note that his leadership style is expected to maintain unity while possibly adopting fresh tactics to strengthen the party’s legislative influence.
As Thune steps into this prominent role, Republicans and observers alike will watch how his leadership influences the Senate’s dynamics and the broader political landscape.
The transition reflects a pivotal moment for the GOP as it positions itself for future electoral and legislative battles.
The Wall Street Journal is experimenting with AI to summarise its articles.
Readers will see a “Key Points” box at the top of select stories, featuring AI-generated summaries that are checked by editors. This new feature is being tested to assess reader engagement, offering bullet points that highlight key information.
The box includes a note explaining the use of AI, as WSJ explores new ways to add value for subscribers. Other news outlets, like USA Today, are also testing similar AI tools, though some caution readers to consult full articles due to potential AI errors.