Vladimir Putin celebrates annexations with great fanfare

The handshake is historic. Friday September 30Vladimir Putin and the leaders of the four annexed Ukrainian regions chanted “Russia” in unison with the public. Members of the Russian government, deputies, senators and religious representatives were gathered in the St. George Hall of the Kremlin. During this ceremony, Vladimir Putin endorsed the annexations and sign the official creation of four new Russian provinces.

“These are people who have lived for centuries within Russia. There is nothing more natural than seeing them return to their historic homeland. The people living in these regions are now our own citizens, our citizens forever.“, he declared before an assembly won over to his cause. He took the opportunity to castigate Westerners and call on Ukraine to lay down their arms. To complete this show of force, he appeared on stage, in front of thousands of spectators gathered in Moscow’s Red Square.