Ukraine condemns referendum in separatist region, Turkey opposes ‘burning bridge’ to Russia

Leonid Pasechnik, leader of the self-proclaimed Luhansk republic in the Donbass region, Ukraine on March 27 announced that the breakaway region may soon hold a referendum to join Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the West to provide more aircraft, tanks and missiles to help the country fight against the Russian army. Photo: BIEN

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence service, described the plan to hold the referendum in Luhansk as a “plot to split” the Eastern European country into two separate countries like North Korea and South Korea after World War Monday. Mr. Budanov affirmed that the Ukrainian army will eventually push back the forces Russia.

Reuters quoted a spokesman for Ukraine’s foreign ministry as saying: “All fake referendums in temporarily occupied territories are null and void and will have no legal effect. Russia will face an even stronger response from the international community, further isolating it globally.”

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the West to give Kiev more tanks, planes and missiles to help fight the Russian army. Kiev officials allege that Moscow’s forces are increasingly targeting Ukraine’s fuel and food depots.

According to Zelensky, many countries have promised to deliver anti-tank missiles, anti-aircraft missiles and small arms, but Kiev has not received what they need. The Kiev leader asserted that Ukraine only needs 1% of NATO aircraft as well as 1% of tanks and that its forces will not be able to stop the Russian raids on the southern port city of Mariupol without enough. tanks, armored vehicles and fighter jets.

This is a war “not only for the freedom of Ukraine, but also for the freedom of Europe,” Zelensky said. He also called on the international community to impose tougher sanctions to force Moscow to end its military campaign in the neighboring country.

Meanwhile, despite saying that Ukraine needs more support to protect itself, Turkey opposes severing all ties with Russia.

“If people burn the bridges to Russia, then who will be interlocuting with them. The Ukrainians need to be supported in any way possible so they can defend themselves … but the Russian side also needs to be supported. listen, one way or another, so that their grievances can be understood if not justified,” said Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for the Turkish president at the Doha international forum.

Turkey, a NATO member country has good relations with both Russia and Ukraine, sought to mediate to end the month-long war. Ankara opposes Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but has so far refused Western requests to impose sanctions on Moscow.

Tuan Anh

>>> Update Russia-Ukraine war situation today