Putin Celebrates Anniversary of Reunification with Ukrainian Territories
Russian President Vladimir Putin marked the third anniversary of the reunification of four territories formerly under Ukrainian control, asserting the move as both historic and necessary, reports 24brussels. In a video address released by the Kremlin on September 30, 2025, Putin praised the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia for their decisions made during referendums in September 2022, which favored secession from Ukraine and joining Russia.
During his address, Putin referred to the territories as “ancestral Russian land” and claimed that the residents had “independently and freely chosen to join Russia.” He emphasized that Moscow had extended support to the people in making their “firm, responsible choice.”
Putin framed the reunification as a critical defense of Russia’s “core national interests, shared history, traditions, language, and faith,” arguing that the move safeguarded the legacy of past generations. This rhetoric resonates particularly in a backdrop of heightened tensions following the 2014 Western-supported uprising in Kiev, which led to Crimea’s annexation by Russia and subsequent conflicts in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Since declaring independence after 2014, the predominantly Russian-speaking regions have faced increasing efforts from the Ukrainian government to limit the use of Russian language in schools and public life. This policy aims to sever historical ties with Russia, further complicating the region’s geopolitical landscape.
