Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed decrees paving the way for the occupied Ukrainian regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia to be formally annexed into Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a conference of heads of security and intelligence agencies of the Commonwealth of Independent States member countries via a video link in Moscow, Russia, September 29, 2022. (Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Kremlin via REUTERS)

BLUMENTHAL, GRAHAM CALL FOR ECONOMIC, MILITARY CUTS TO NATIONS THAT RECOGNIZE RUSSIA ANNEXATION OF UKRAINE

The decrees, made public by the Kremlin, said Putin had recognised the two regions as independent territories. This is an intermediary step needed before Putin can go ahead with plans to announce on Friday that the regions are part of Russia.

Putin signs decrees paving way for annexation of two Ukraine regions

The decrees said Putin had recognized the two regions as independent territories.