Russian President signed off on the annexation of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions in one of the most significant turning points yet in the 7-month war on Kyiv.

“People living in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson are becoming our citizens forever. We will defend our land with all the means we have available to us”, - said Vladimir Putin.

He called on Ukraine to lay down its arms and return to peace talks with Russia.

“We call on the Kyiv regime to immediately stop hostilities and sit at the negotiating table”, - added Russian leader.