Putin signs presidential decree ‘recognizing independence of Donbass separatist republic’The Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), founded by pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, is expected to hold a referendum to join the Russian Federation soon.
According to Reuters on the 27th (local time), the head of the LPR, Leonit Pasechinik, told local media that “a referendum will be held soon to join the Russian Federation”.
“The people of the LPR will exercise their ultimate constitutional rights and express their views on accession to the Russian Federation,” Pashchnik said.
In this regard, Ukrainian intelligence officials criticized Russia for trying to divide Ukraine in two like South Korea.
Ukraine’s defense intelligence chief Kirillo Budanov said in a statement that “Russia is trying to split Ukraine in two by creating a territory controlled by Russia after it has failed to take over all of Ukraine.”
“This is effectively an attempt to create North and South Korea in Ukraine,” he added.
The LPR is a self-proclaimed national organization established along with the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) by Russians in eastern Ukraine.
They formed rebels and waged the 2014 Donbas War with the Ukrainian government forces, and occupied about half of Luhansk Oblast and Donetsk Oblast, respectively, until just before the start of the war on the 24th of last month.
Although the international community does not recognize them as independent states, Russia recognized the LPR and DPR as independent states on the 21st of last month and deployed Russian troops to the areas controlled by them.
However, they have not yet been recognized as members of the Russian Federation.
In order for them to join the Russian Federation, they must confirm the will of the people by voting and then sign a treaty of accession with the Russian Federation.
If the parliaments of both sides approve it, it can become a member of the Russian Federation.
Donetsk residents cheer Putin’s approval of ‘independence’ [연합뉴스]
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