US: Russia to annex Ukrainian territories in September

The US Department of Defense believes the Russian government is using illegitimate officials and relaunching an “annexation playbook” similar to Crimea’s to seize more land in neighboring areas already occupied by Russian troops or proMoscow separatists like the East.

The statement was made by US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby, who said regions slated for annexation include the cities of Kherson, Zaporiya, Donetsk and Lugansk.

“Russia is laying the groundwork for the annexation of Ukrainian territory under its control, in direct violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Kirby said on Tuesday (07/19).

“Russia has started to publish a version of what could be called an annexation playbook that is very similar to what we saw in 2014,” the spokesman said, referring to the Russian annexation of the Crimea peninsula at the time armed forces.

In areas under Russian occupation, referendums on annexation would be held by September. Such an operation is considered illegitimate by much of the international community, as was the case with the annexation of Crimea.

“We want to make it clear to the American people: No one will be fooled by this. [Putin] dust off the 2014 script,” Kirby said. The spokesman added that he was “uncovering” Russian plans “to let the world know that any claims of annexation are premeditated, illegal and illegitimate” and pledged a swift response from the US and its allies.

Ukraine damages a Russiancontrolled bridge

The Antonovsky Bridge in southern Ukraine’s Kherson province was “heavily damaged” by Ukrainian bombing, according to Russian state news agency TASS, citing Russian officials stationed in the area.

The British Ministry of Defense presented a more detailed analysis of the attack on the bridge controlled by Russian troops in its latest update on Wednesday.

“It is very likely that the bridge will remain operational, but it is a key weak point for Russian forces. It is one of only two road crossings over the Dnieper. Through them, “Russia can supply or withdraw troops [que estão] in the territory occupied by him west of the river”.

According to British intelligence, “control of the Dnieper crossings is likely to become a key factor in the outcome of the fighting” in eastern Ukraine. The ministry added that Russia has made “minimal gains” in its offensive in the Donbass region, “with Ukrainian forces holding the line”.

Putin accuses Ukraine of not sticking to the agreement

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Ukraine had not honored the terms of an interim “peace deal” that was “virtually achieved” in March.

“The end result, of course, depends on the willingness of the contracting parties to implement the agreed agreements,” Putin said after a visit to Iran, without revealing details of the alleged peace pact.

The Russian leader added that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are ready to mediate between his country and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not respond to the comments.

Russia’s ally Syria cuts ties with Ukraine

Russia’s partner in the Middle East, Syria, announced on Wednesday that it would sever diplomatic ties with Ukraine. According to a statement from its Foreign Ministry, the country “has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.”

The move was reportedly in response to Ukraine’s “hostile stance”. In 2018, Ukraine refused to renew the work permits of Syrian diplomats in Kyiv, making it impossible for them to carry out their duties.

Syria has also previously pledged to recognize the “independence and sovereignty” of the proRussian breakaway regions of Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine. In the war in Syria, Russia intervened on behalf of dictator Bashar alAssad.

The EU has an emergency gas plan

Amid fears that Russia could completely cut natural gas supplies to the European continent next winter, the European Commission has urged member states to voluntarily reduce demand for the product.

The contingency plan calls for a cut of at least 15% of total consumption between August and March. Some EU countries like Germany are very dependent on Russian gas. In 2021, the block imported 40% of its gas from Russia.

The draft emergency plan stipulates that in the event that two or more EU member states face an emergency situation due to low supply, “a binding reduction in gas demand will be implemented”.

gb/av (AP, AFP, Portal, DPA)