The Foreign Minister has announced that Albania condemns the ‘sham’ referendums organized by Russia in Ukraine and will not recognize their predetermined results.

In a post on Twitter, it is emphasized that any annexation of the territory of a state by another state, resulting from threats or the use of force, is a violation of the principles of the UN Charter and international law.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the decision to annex 4 regions of Ukraine was made by the residents of the areas, who participated in the referendum.

“The results are known, well known. I am sure that the Federal Assembly will support the four new subjects of the Russian Federation because this is the will of millions of people”, said Putin today, as he was applauded by members of his government.

According to Russian officials, the four regions, which represent about 15% of Ukraine, voted overwhelmingly to join Russia.

The four regions form an important strip of land between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

Ukraine says it will continue to fight to liberate the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.