White House Says Russia Laying Groundwork to Annex More Ukrainian Terrority

NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby tells reporters at a White House briefing that there is "ample evidence" that Russia is laying the groundwork to begin annexing Ukrainian territory under its control, including Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk. Kirby says that Russia is planning to put proxy leaders in place and hold "sham referenda" and will use them as a pretext to issue Russian passports and make the Ruble the official currency in those regions. Kirby says the U.S. and international community will respond in lockstep and will not allow the annexations to go unchallenged and will continue to provide Ukraine with the weaponry it needs to defend itself. close