President Russia Vladimir Putin noted the situation in the region Ukraine, especially the four areas that have been annexed by Moscow, are now “very difficult”. The acknowledgment comes as authorities in Kiev renew calls to Western allies for more weapons and after Russian troops pound Ukraine with drones.
As reported ReutersOn Tuesday (12/20/2022), Putin made this statement by issuing a statement on Monday (12/19) local time Security Service Day, which is widely celebrated in Russia.
Last September, Putin firmly ordered the annexation of four Ukrainian territories — Donetsk, Luhansk, Cherson and Zaporizhia — as part of the Russian Federation. The annexation ceremony even took place in the Kremlin or in the Russian presidential office.
But earlier this month, Putin suggested that a war in Ukraine “could be a long process”.
In remarks to Russian security agencies operating in Ukraine, Putin acknowledged that the situation in some parts of Ukraine is very difficult.
“Yes, now it is difficult for you. The situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions is very difficult,” Putin said in a statement on Monday.
Putin’s move to annex Ukrainian territories has sparked strong criticism from the authorities in Kiev and Western countries, which have defined it as illegal.
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