In the aftermath of annexation referenda described as“illegal” by kyiv and its Western allies, the pro-Russian leaders of Ukrainian regions occupied, totally or partially by Moscow, demanded, Wednesday, September 28, annexation to Russia. “I ask you to consider the question of joining the Luhansk People’s Republic to Russia as a subject of the Russian Federation”, wrote Leonid Passechnik, separatist leader of this region located in eastern Ukraine, in a letter addressed to Vladimir Putin. He made clear his intention to go to Moscow, as did his counterpart from the neighboring region of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin. Two similar letters were sent to the Russian President by the two heads of the occupation administrations of Kherson and Zaporizhia. Follow our live.
The European Union wants sanctions. The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada reiterated on Wednesday that they would not recognize “never” the results of the annexation referendums, a promise already made by the G7 a few days earlier. The EU proposes in particular to cap the price of Russian oil and to add new restrictions on trade with Moscow.
Ukraine wants new weapons. For its part, Ukraine has demanded new deliveries of Western weapons to fight Russia. In response, the United States announced massive new, long-term military aid to Ukraine, in particular doubling the number of Himars, very powerful and sophisticated artillery systems, to equip the Ukrainian forces.
Three poets in prison after reading an anti-war text. A Russian court on Wednesday ordered the imprisonment of three young poets who had participated in a literary reading against the mobilization to fight in Ukraine. One of them claims to have been raped by the police during his arrest. At the same time, an increasing number of Russians of military age continue to flee, in particular via Finland. They are worried about a possible border closure “for all time” after the mobilization order from Moscow.