US promises quick, tough reaction if Russia annexes more Ukrainian territory

The US National Security Council and Strategic Communications, John Kirby, made such a statement, reports European Truth.

"Russia is beginning to rollout a version of what you could call an annexation playbook, very similar to the one we saw in 2014. Already, Russia is installing illegitimate proxy officials in the areas of Ukraine that are under its control. And we know their next moves. First, these proxy officials will arrange sham referenda on joining Russia. Then, Russia will use those sham referenda as a basis to try to claim annexation of sovereign Ukrainian territory," Kirby said.

According to the coordinator of the US National Security Council, the Russian government is currently considering a plan to annex parts of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions, as well as the entire Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

"The Kremlin has not announced the timing of these referendums, but their Gauleiter has said that they will take place this year, probably in conjunction with Russia's regional elections on September 11. If Russia does go ahead with its annexation plans, our response will be swift and severe -  and shared with our allies and partners. Additional sanctions will be imposed on Russia, and it will become an even bigger pariah than it is now. We will never recognize any territories annexed by Russia," John Kirby emphasized.