Russia, Ukraine Referendum Areas to Hold Merger Signing Ceremony on 30th... Putin to Attend (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwak Min-jae] Russia will sign a treaty on the 30th to annex four occupied territories of Ukraine as its own territory.

According to AFP and others on the 29th (local time), Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, said at a briefing that "a treaty signing ceremony to annex new territories to Russia is scheduled to be held on the 30th."

The treaty signing ceremony, scheduled to take place at the Kremlin at 3 p.m. on the 30th, is expected to be attended by President Vladimir Putin.

It has been confirmed that official invitations for this signing ceremony were also distributed to the Russian parliament.

From the 27th, a five-day referendum was held in the four Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine to ask residents about annexation to Russia, and the vote count showed an overwhelming approval rate of 87-99% by region, passing the annexation proposal.

Ukraine and the West have labeled this a "fake vote" and are pushing for additional sanctions against Russia, but Russia is proceeding with the annexation process of these territories according to its own laws.

Once the treaty for the annexation of these occupied territories is signed, the process will proceed with ratification by the upper and lower houses of parliament and the president's final signature.