Russian President Vladimir Putin formally announced the Kremlin’s intention to annex nearly a fifth of Ukraine in blatant violation of international law after what most consider a sham election.
In his speech, President Vladimir V. Putin on Friday claimed that Russia would take control of four Ukrainian regions and decried the United States for “Satanism” in a speech that escalates the war in Ukraine.
President Biden was quick to denounce Mr. Putin’s actions to annex the four territories, saying they “have no legitimacy’’ and adding that “the United States will always honor Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.’’