Kyiv to push for fast-track NATO membership as Putin annexes Ukraine territories | World News

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday annexed 4 components of Ukraine occupied by his military, staging a grand ceremony in Moscow as Kyiv vowed to battle on and pushed for expedited NATO membership.

The occasion on the Kremlin -- a turning level in post-Soviet historical past -- got here hours after shelling killed 30 individuals in Ukraine's southern area of Zaporizhzhia in one of many worst assaults in opposition to civilians in months.

Putin was defiant throughout his tackle to Russia's political elite, telling the West that the internationally condemned manoeuvre was irreversible and urging Ukraine's emboldened military to barter a give up.

"I need to say this to the Kyiv regime and its masters within the West: Folks residing in Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia have gotten our residents without end," Putin stated.

"We name on the Kyiv regime to instantly cease preventing and cease all hostilities... and return to the negotiating desk," the Russian chief added.

The packed corridor erupted into chants of "Russia! Russia" after the 4 leaders inked the deal.

Putin -- not often seen making bodily contact because the pandemic -- joined fingers together with his proxy leaders and so they shouted alongside in unison on state TV.

Washington introduced "extreme" new sanctions in opposition to Russian officers and the nation's defence business, and stated G7 allies help imposing "prices" on any nation that backs the annexation.

President Volodymyr Zelensky instantly urged the US-led navy alliance NATO to grant Ukraine fast-track membership, a transfer Kyiv had threatened earlier.

- Biden says Putin 'struggling' -

The Ukrainian chief doubled down in an tackle to the nation, vowing by no means to carry talks with Russia as long as Putin was in energy.

"We are going to negotiate with the brand new president," Zelensky stated.

US President Joe Biden condemned Friday's ceremony in Moscow as a "sham routine" that Putin placed on to point out energy, however as an alternative demonstrated that "he is struggling," and vowed to proceed backing Kyiv.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg slammed the annexation as "unlawful and illegitimate" however remained non-committal after Ukraine stated it was making use of to affix the Western alliance.

The US and Canada voiced help for Ukraine's membership however steered away from guarantees to fast-track it.

Regardless of warnings from Putin previous to the annexation that he might use nuclear weapons to defend the captured territories, Ukraine's International Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated Kyiv would "proceed liberating our land and our individuals".

US Nationwide Safety Advisor Jake Sullivan stated Friday that Washington would announce an "speedy" new weapons cargo for Kyiv subsequent week.

Sullivan additionally stated that whereas there's a "danger" of Putin utilizing nuclear weapons, there is no such thing as a indication that he would accomplish that imminently.

Hours forward of the annexation ceremony, an assault in Zaporizhzhia within the south killed at the very least 30 individuals and wounded dozens as civilians had been making ready to depart to select up family members, Ukrainian officers stated.

Our bodies clothed in civilian put on had been strewn throughout the bottom after the assault and home windows of vehicles blown out.

One man, 56-year-old Viktor, stated his life was saved as a result of he went to get a espresso.

"The waitress gave it to me. And there was a bang. She obtained scared and left the cafe. A couple of minutes later, there was one other explosion. Now she is on the ground," he stated.

"I managed to cover. She didn't."

- Land hall -

In central Moscow, at the very least 10,000 individuals convened for state-organised annexation celebrations, with big banners emblazoned: "Donetsk. Lugansk. Zaporizhzhia. Kherson. Russia!"

"I am pleased in the event that they need to be part of Russia," Natalya Bodner, a 37-year-old lawyer advised AFP. "They've extra hope than we do".

The 4 territories create a vital land hall between Russia and the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Moscow in 2014.

Collectively, all 5 areas together with Crimea, make up round 20 % of Ukraine, whose forces in current weeks have been clawing again territory.

Zelensky on Friday hailed the "vital outcomes" from Ukraine's counteroffensive within the east.

Ukrainian forces had been on the doorstep of Lyman in Donetsk, which Moscow's forces pummelled for weeks to seize this summer time.

"Lyman is partially surrounded," stated Denis Pushilin, the pro-Moscow chief within the breakaway area of Donetsk, on social media including later that Russian forces had been holding out "with the final of their energy".

The 4 areas' Kremlin-installed leaders formally requested annexation after claiming residents backed the transfer in rapidly organised referendums that had been dismissed by Kyiv and the West as fraudulent.

Russia on Friday vetoed a UN Safety Council decision condemning the annexation of the areas, whereas China abstained.