White House: Russia laying groundwork to annex Ukraine territory

WASHINGTON, 21 July 2022, (TON): White House said “Russia is laying the groundwork for the annexation of Ukrainian territory and is installing illegitimate proxy officials in areas there under its control as it seeks to exert total control over its gains in the east.”

Unveiling what he said was US intelligence, John Kirby, the chief National Security Council spokesman, told a White House news briefing that the Russians are preparing to install proxy officials, establish the rouble as the default currency and force residents to apply for citizenship.

Kirby said “we have information today, including from downgraded intelligence that we’re able to share with you, about how Russia is laying the groundwork to annex Ukrainian territory that it controls in direct violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.”

Kirby said “the same tactic was used in 2014 when Russia announced its annexation of Crimea after taking over control from Ukraine.”

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