Republics of Russia
On 24 February 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine and took large areas of southern and eastern Ukraine. As early as March leaders in the unrecognized Luhansk People's Republic and Donetsk People's Republic both said their wish to join Russia, originally once Russia captured all their claimed territory. However, after quick Ukrainian gains in the east in September, Russia and the unrecognized republics rushed a series of referendums on annexation to Russia. The referendum results claimed a large majority supported annexation. On 30 September 2022, Putin formally announced the annexation of the two republics. However, the referendums were recognized internationally as a sham while the European Union and G7 said they were illegal. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the annexations as a violation of the UN Charter.