Russian President Vladimir Putin assured Monday, September 30 that “all set goals will be achieved” in Ukraine, in the midst of armed conflict, on the occasion of the second anniversary of Russia’s annexation of the four Ukrainian regions.
“The truth is on our side. All set goals will be achieved,” the Russian president said in a video address, congratulating the Russian people on “Reunification Day” with the Ukrainian regions of Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia and Kherson, celebrated in Russia on September 30.
“We have not abandoned our brothers and sisters”
He hailed a “fateful event” which he said was necessary to protect the Russian-speaking inhabitants of these Ukrainian regions against a “neo-Nazi dictatorship” and “radical nationalism”. “We have not abandoned our brothers and sisters,” he stressed, once again defending “the necessity and legitimacy of the Russian special military operation” – the term which in Russia designates the assault launched against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, officially to “demilitarize” and “denazify” this Russian neighbor. “Today, we are all fighting for a secure and flourishing future for our children and our grandchildren,” said the master of the Kremlin.
On September 30, 2022, Vladimir Putin signed and formalized the annexation of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Lugansk (east), as well as those of Zaporizhia and Kherson (south). These regions that Moscow only partially controls had voted for their attachment to Russia during referendums not recognized by kyiv and the international community.