We will defend every inch of NATO territory

Biden pledged continued support for Kiev after it illegally annexed four Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. “We will continue to provide military equipment so that Ukraine can defend itself, its territory and its independence.”

Not approved

The Democratic Party also reiterated that the US would never recognize the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson. “And neither does the rest of the world.”

Joe Biden also promised to send underwater equipment to the site of the explosions at the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines to “determine exactly what happened.”

EU: ‘Never recognize’

EU Heads of State or Government also unequivocally “condemned” and “resolutely rejected” the “illegal annexation” of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya in a joint statement.

“We will never recognize this illegal annexation. These decisions have no value. Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Donetsk and Luhansk belong to Ukraine. We call on all states and international organizations to unequivocally reject this illegal annexation,” President Vladimir Putin signed the annexation documents. European leaders later said in a joint statement.

Turkey also rejects the Russian annexation

During the night from Friday to Saturday, Turkey also rejected the annexation of four Ukrainian territories to Russia. The ministry also recalled Turkey’s earlier refusal to recognize the annexation of Crimea.

Turkey did not recognize the annexation of Crimea after an illegal referendum in 2014 and has always fully supported Ukraine’s territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty.

In line with this position, which has been maintained since 2014, we reject the Russian decision to annex the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. This decision cannot be recognized as it is a serious violation of the principles of international law.’

Turkey is a member of NATO and maintains good relations with Ukraine, but also with the Kremlin. This led, among other things, to an agreement on grain exports from Ukraine and Russia via the Black Sea. But after several meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the conclusion of several contracts for gas supplies, partly paid in rubles, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appears to be moving away from Russia.

In a meeting with his Russian counterpart Putin on Thursday, the Turkish president urged the Russian leader to “give a chance to negotiations” without annexing regions in Ukraine.