MOSCOW, September 30 – Novosti. The Russian Embassy in Britain called outrageous the reaction of London and Western countries to the annexation of the LPR, DPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions to Russia, an example of ignoring reality on the ground.
Earlier, British Foreign Minister James Cleverley said that he had summoned Russian Ambassador Andrey Kelin to protest over the annexation of new regions to Russia.
“We welcome the inclusion of these regions on the basis of free and democratic processes and international law. The outrageous reaction in the UK and other Western capitals to today’s events is proof that they ignore the reality on the ground and want to deprive the local population of the right to free and informed choice their future,” the embassy said in a commentary to Novosti.
The diplomatic mission added that the referendums held in these regions, based on the fundamental principle of self-determination contained in the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act, are a direct result of the Kiev regime’s ongoing atrocities, discrimination and repression against the Russian-speaking population over the past eight years.
“Russia will not hesitate to use all means at its disposal to ensure the protection of its entire territory. President Vladimir Putin’s public statements on this matter are fully consistent with the current military doctrine, which clearly spells out options and tools for deterring external aggression,” the embassy stressed.
Referendums on the question of joining Russia were held from 23 to 27 September in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics , as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye regions . According to the results of processing 100% of the ballots in the DPR , 99.23% of those who voted for joining Russia, 98.42% in the LPR, 87.05% in the Kherson region , and 93.11% in the Zaporozhye region. Representatives of a number of Western countries, including the EU , said they did not recognize the results of the referendums. At the same time, the referendum was monitored by international observers, including those from EU countries, who confirmed the free will of citizens.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the heads of the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions signed agreements on the annexation of regions to Russia and the formation of new subjects within Russia.
