The solemn ceremony of signing the agreements on the admission of all four regions to Russia took place in the Georgievsky Hall of the Kremlin.
The documents were first signed by President Vladimir Putin.
And then the leaders of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions Denis Pushilin, Leonid Pasechnik, Evgeny Balitsky and Vladimir Saldo.
Vladimir Putin, speaking about the entry of new territories into Russia, noted that their inhabitants made a choice – to be together with their people.
“The truth is behind us! Russia is behind us!” the head of state concluded.
Across the country today, actions are being held in support of the regions that have made a historic choice.
“Today we have a holiday! Our voices have been heard. Long live Russia!” – say the inhabitants of the republics.
Hundreds of people came to the Government House in Lugansk to watch the online broadcast of the President’s speech.
Celebration of the entry of the Lugansk People’s Republic into Russia.
Rallies and concerts in support of new regions are held in Tyumen and Novosibirsk, Blagoveshchensk and Perm, the Leningrad Region and Moscow.
People go to the central squares of cities with Russian flags.
The protesters say they want to thank everyone who said “yes” to reunification.
180,000 people came to Red Square, where a grand rally-concert was held in support of the annexation of new territories to Russia.
“Russia opens not only the doors of our native home for our brothers and sisters, it opens its heart to them. Welcome home,” Vladimir Putin said, speaking to those gathered on Red Square.