Putin moves to illegally annex four regions of eastern Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that four regions in eastern and southern Ukraine are now--according to him-- part of Russia, with 'Russian citizens forever.'
This follows a Moscow-led referendum that was held in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces. Kiev and its western allies call the move a 'sham', and illegal.
The regions themselves make up more than 15 percent of Ukraine's territory, which president Volodymyr Zelenskyy vows to take back. But Putin has warned he'll defend those provinces - and is already looking to add more troops there. Sarah Morice begins our coverage.

[ibz]

Same thing has happened to Palestine. We don't see the West labelling that illegal?

[fauziabash]

Legally democratically. West always says we love democracy but not this time

[marvib]

I am not Russian but I think this is legal and I recognize it!

[fidalikhon]

*Russia and Ukraine have same culture, same Orthodox Christian religion and similar language. The US caused the division between these two brothers. The European Catholic people might enjoy the division, but I think that they are already enslaved*

[abdullahk]

Biden "every inch..." yeah he finds it hard to walk an inch without holding on to someone/something (real or imagined) 😆

[mah]

Why does title say illegal. Winners take the spoils of war. Always has been that way 🙄

[mira-ufie]

What's the point of voting if they are still accusing it as illegal then?

[mwataboss]

may the ALMIGHTY grant victory to russia putin made right move

[husseinmuhamed]

By the way it's legal not illegal

[shabzada]

Me too
I’m not Russian either and I believable the criteria of being legal and illegal is not the monopoly of the west
Local and regional people have their say and they have decided in their own favour what’s best for them
You plz stop being stereotype 😊

[nanhinting]

I don't understand the word "illegally". In true fact it should be termed just as Russia's Annexation Ceremony. The world knew that there was a referendum conducted before the annexation. It was legally done as announced to the world by Ryssia.
So byy having this Annexation Ceremony, Russia legally announced to the world that these 4 states have legally joined Russia. Should Russia seek anyone's permission to do that? It is obvious that the US and the West will jump like monkeys while the rest of the world are gleefully quiet and wishing the war will end by this annexation. Who cares what the US, UK and EU thinks. It clearly shows that this is the result of their very foolish meddling in Ukraine in the first place.

The world community should accept the annexation as legal and binding.
There is no difference from how Hawaii and Puerto Rico became the states of the US. Did the US seek the world opinion and permission prior to that annexation?

[hasinurrahman]

Breaking up of Yugoslavia is the biggest since ww2.

[NH.]

It's fully recognised because people voted. Believe in democracy?

[jame]

ZELLENSKY is being replaced by Hollywood ACTOR tom hanks because he's a better comedian

[mdnayeemahmed]

So they will defend every inch of nato territory but not ukrainian territory.

[squidproxy]

who decide the "illegally" thing anyway, ah forgot the US of snakes

[qaziaijaz]

In russia putin is one man army and makes his decision himself and in wast and Europe bunch of people make decisions
In a bunch no one knows who is playing on whose side

[OstasHs]

How cute… The turk uses the term “illegal”! A turk!!!

[sherkhan]

It is not illegal TRT!! It is thorugh referendum. Moreover, USA when destroyed countries, she left them helpless after that. Like USA ceized money of poor Afghans in international banks. But Russia made destroyed areas its own part and they will now equally develop. It is good measure. USA wanting destruction will not like this.

[dnajournal]

What's the legal way to annex anything?