EU threatens to impose new sanctions against Russia over referendums in Donbas

ARNK News… The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has warned that new sanctions will be imposed on Russia in the event that referendums on joining Russia are held in Donbas, stressing that its legitimacy will not be recognized.

According to Borrell's statement, "Russia, its political leadership, and all those who participated in these referendums and other violations of international law in Ukraine will be held accountable, and additional restrictive measures against Russia will be considered."

The politician believes that the referendums "cannot under any circumstances be considered an expression of the will of the people who live in these lands, who are under constant threat and intimidation by the Russian military."

He promised that the European Union "will remain steadfast in its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and the EU will not recognize these referendums, and we call on Russia to immediately withdraw all its forces and military equipment from all Ukrainian territory within its internationally recognized borders... in particular, Crimea".

Earlier, the authorities of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, and the administrations of the Zaporozhe and Kherson provinces decided to hold referendums on joining Russia as parts of the union, and voting in all these regions will take place from September 23 to 27.

The representatives of the regions emphasized that joining Russia would secure their lands and restore historical justice, and this decision was absolutely necessary for light of the continuous increase in terrorist acts by the Kyiv authorities and NATO members who provide them with weapons to kill civilians.

Source: Novosti

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