Putin Set to Annex Ukraine Lands Friday, Ignoring Criticism
- Russian leader to sign annexation pacts in Kremlin ceremony
- Russia defies rising US, European pressure, war setbacks
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Russia vowed to go ahead with the annexation of the parts of Ukraine that its troops currently control after UN-condemned votes, putting the Kremlin on a fresh collision course with the US and its allies.
Russia will sign treaties to absorb the four regions in eastern and southern Ukraine at a Kremlin ceremony at 3pm Friday, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on a conference call Thursday. Putin will also make an address to legislators and other officials, he said.