Russia To Formally Annex , 4 Additional Areas of Ukraine.<br />On September 30, Vladimir Putin <br />will hold a signing ceremony to <br />annex four areas of Ukraine. .<br />On September 30, Vladimir Putin <br />will hold a signing ceremony to <br />annex four areas of Ukraine. .<br />BBC reports that the ceremony follows <br />a self-styled referendum widely <br />condemned by the West as a "sham.".<br />According to Russian-backed officials, <br />the five-day referendum secured <br />almost total popular support.<br />BBC reports that a stage has already <br />been erected in Moscow's Red Square, and <br />a concert has been planned for the evening.<br />The event mirrors Russia's 2014 annexation <br />of Crimea, which was also the culmination <br />of a widely-discredited referendum.<br />A vast majority of the international <br />community has never recognized <br />Russia's annexation of Crimea. .<br />BBC reports that no independent <br />monitoring of the Russian <br />referendum took place.<br />Next week, Russia's two houses of <br />parliament are expected to formally <br />ratify the annexation treaties. .<br />On October 4, Putin is expected to <br />address the upper house of parliament<br />three days prior to his 70th birthday.<br />The United States has threatened to<br />impose further sanctions on Russia <br />as a result of the staged referendums.<br />The European Union is reportedly considering <br />their own 8th round of measures which include <br />sanctions on anyone who took part in the vote.<br />The European Union is reportedly considering <br />their own 8th round of measures which include <br />sanctions on anyone who took part in the vote.<br />Last week, Russia threatened <br />to use all means at its disposal <br />to defend its territory
