Russian President Putin officially announced the annexation of 4 regions of Ukraine. Citizens of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia will be granted Russian citizenship.
On this occasion, President Putin said that the collapse of the Soviet Union is a bitter truth for Russians.
He said that reconstruction work will be done soon in the areas to be integrated into Russia.
He said that Ukraine should accept the ceasefire offer and sit at the negotiation table.
President Putin said that Russia will continue to defend its territorial integrity, including the newly annexed territories.
It should be noted that referendums were held in the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia last week.
Referendums voted in favor of joining Russia, in all four regions the referendum was held by Russian-backed separatists.
