Ukraine says it would fight for annexed land

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Ukraine’s military actions are dependent on its capabilities, not what Russia wants. Russia closed voting on annexation in eastern Ukrainian regions Tuesday. Most Western countries have condemned the vote as a sham and an excuse to defend Ukrainian territory as if it were Russian soil—something Russia said it would do with “all available means.”

Why do officials think the vote is a sham? White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said U.S. officials have seen videos of Russian soldiers walking through cities forcing Ukrainians to vote. Ukraine said the proposals passed with suspiciously high margins considering how many people had been displaced from the regions.

Dig deeper: Read Jill Nelson’s report for WORLD magazine on a new Iron Curtain in Russia.