America
US will never recognise Russia's claims on Ukrainian territory: Biden

Washington, Sep 30
In response to Russia's move to formally annex four more areas in occupied Ukraine after holding self-styled referendums, US President Joe Biden said that Washington will "never, never, never recognise" Moscow's claims on Kiev's sovereign territory.
The Kremlin announced on Thursday that President Vladimir Putin will on Friday formally declare the annexation of the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson at a major event at the Red Square in Moscow.
In the so-called referendums held last week, the regions voted to join Russia, the Kremlin added.
Addressing an event on Thursday, Biden called Russia's move "shameless".
"The US, I want to be very clear about this, will never, never, never recognise Russia's claims on Ukraine sovereign territory," the President was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the White House.
"This so-called referenda was a sham, an absolute sham, and the results were manufactured in Moscow... The true will of the Ukrainian people is evident every day as they sacrifice their lives to save their people and maintain the independence of their country and in defence of freedom as well.
"Russia's assault on Ukraine in pursuit of Putin's imperial ambitions is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and the basic principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.
But in its announcement on Thursday, the Kremlin said the independence of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson was being recognised in accordance with international law and "enshrined in the Charter of the UN".
Earlier, the Biden administration said that it will impose sanctions on Russia as a result of the referendums.
Meanwhile, European Union member states are also considering an eighth round of measures, including sanctions on anyone involved in the votes.
Also condemning Russia's move, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that any annexation of a country's territory based on the use of force violates the UN Charter and international law, the BBC reported.
It is a "dangerous escalation" that "has no place in the modern world", he said.
In a phone call with Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also expressed his opposition to the plan and called on the Russian leader to reduce tension and give peace negotiations with Ukraine another chance.
In his response to the "pseudo referendums", Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said: "Russia will not get a new territory of Ukraine. Russia will annex itself to the catastrophe that it has brought to the occupied territory of our country."
Meanwhile, preparations for Putin's announcement were underway in Moscow, with a stage set up for a concert in Red Square, adorned with billboards proclaiming the four regions as part of Russia.
This is a repeat of Russia's annexation of the southern Crimea Peninsular in 2014, which also followed a discredited referendum, says the BBC.
The Crimean annexation has never been recognised by the the international community.
Russia's two houses of parliament will however, formally ratify the move next week.

25 minutes ago
EAM Jaishankar to visit China today for SCO meeting

26 minutes ago
Axiom-4 splash down on July 15 at 3 pm: Jitendra Singh on Shubhanshu Shukla's return

27 minutes ago
Mexico calls new US tariffs unfair, launches bilateral negotiations

27 minutes ago
Parts of Grand Canyon in US remain closed due to growing wildfires nearby

28 minutes ago
Dutch PM voices concern over US tariffs on EU goods

37 minutes ago
TN goods train fire sparks evacuation, Chennai rail services hit

41 minutes ago
President Murmu nominates four members to RS; PM Modi extends best wishes

42 minutes ago
Sivaganga custodial death: Vijay leads TVK's protest in Chennai demanding justice

43 minutes ago
Why no RG Kar-like mass outcry on Kasba law college rape case?

46 minutes ago
Living martyr of Kerala's political violence, C. Sadanandan Master, nominated to Rajya Sabha

47 minutes ago
Commerce & Industry Ministry clocks hectic week to push exports, big projects

48 minutes ago
Kolkata Police forms nine-member SIT to probe IIM-Calcutta rape case

49 minutes ago
Honour and challenge, says Ujjwal Nikam on RS membership