Ukraine: On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that there would be no talks with Russia if it continued to hold referendums on annexation in the occupied parts of his nation.
After initiating what the Kremlin refers to as a "special military operation" into its neighbor's territory, Russian forces and their separatist allies now control substantial portions of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine as well as the southern regions. Referendums may be held, according to officials in both regions.
Zelensky claimed in his nightly video address that Kiev was sticking by its stance of ceding no territory to Russia.
"The stance of our nation is unchanged from what it has ever been. None of what is ours will be forfeited, according to Zelensky.
"The occupiers will eliminate for themselves any chance of talks with Ukraine and the free world, which the Russian side will obviously need at some point, if they continue down the path of pseudo-referendums."
Soon after Russian forces began their invasion of Ukraine in February, Russian and Ukrainian officials held several meetings.
However, there was little progress made, and there have been no meetings since late March, with each side blaming the other for the break in communication.
A referendum on joining Russia could be held in the upcoming weeks or months, according to officials in charge of the Kherson region in southern Ukraine, which is largely held by Russian forces.
2014 saw the annexation of parts of Donbas by Russian proxy forces, who also held independence referendums and declared "people's republics" in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Before the February invasion, the Kremlin recognised the republics.
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