The Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR), Kherson and Zaporojye regions, taken under control by Russia’s special military operation launched in Donbass on February 24, decided to hold a referendum on joining Russia on September 23-27.
According to polls conducted by the public opinion research center INSOMAR, 91 percent of people in the DPR said they wanted to join Russia. In the LPR, the figure was 90 percent, while in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, 80 percent said they favored joining Russia.
Addressing the people of Russia and residents of the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions on September 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he had signed a decree on partial mobilization in Russia.
UWI expert, historian and political scientist Mehmet Perinçek evaluated the developments for Sputnik. Below we present the statements of Perinçek as published by Sputnik.
‘Referendum was one of four options’
In Donbass, I met with both Russian military officials and the heads of local authorities. At the time of these meetings, there were four options for the future of these regions. The first was that these regions would become independent republics, the second to join Russia through a referendum, the third to form a state together, and the fourth option was to be recognized autonomous republics after the formation of a reasonable government in Ukraine.
From a ‘special operation’ to ‘defense of homeland’
The most prevailing option was for these regions to join Russia. In his speech, Putin also stated that they would support the decisions taken in these regions. Putin pays special attention to ensuring that these processes are carried out in accordance with international law. With the joining of these regions to Russian territory, like Crimea, the course of the war may change. Because any attack on those regions will no longer be an attack on a region allied with Russia or inhabited by Russians, but a direct attack on Russian territory. This, obviously, will also raise Russia’s concern to ensure its own territorial integrity. From now on, this may go beyond a ‘special operation’ and turn into a matter of homeland defense.
The impact of the US and the EU
In terms of the balance of power: The fact that Ukraine received intensive support from the West including weapons, equipment and personnel made it difficult for Russia to carry out the operation as it had desired. In fact, this mobilization decision is taken in order to turn the balance in favor of Russia’s operation. In his speech, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said, “We are not fighting against Ukraine. We are fighting against a Western bloc”. Putin made similar statements. Consequently, it became inevitable for Moscow to create a force that will fight the entire Western bloc in Ukraine instead of a special operation.
The US and Europe are sabotaging peace negotiations by arming Ukraine with weapons. It has also become clear that none of the sanctions against Russia have been effective and to the detriment of Ukraine. Because the more Ukraine is dragged into a war in the interests of the US, the more the country and its people suffer. Not only Ukraine, but also Europe has suffered great damage and crisis. We can say that the US and Europe no longer have any other big trump cards to play.
Imperative of Russia-Türkiye cooperation
Türkiye is already objectively involved in this confrontation, because Ankara faces similar threats as Russia. Indeed, from Türkiye’s point of view, what is happening in Ukraine does not only mean the encirclement of Russia but also the expansion of the encirclement to the north of Türkiye. While the US is using Ukraine against Russia, it is also using Greece and Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (GCASC) against Türkiye as a tool. Even when they lift the arms embargo on Southern Cyprus, American officials reveal that they are acting against both Türkiye and Russia.
Therefore, there is no difference between the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and in Ukraine, and between the US supporting the PKK/PYD in Syria and the neo-Nazi forces in Ukraine. All these regions constitute are one single frontline, and the defeat of the US on one of these fronts will pave the way for its defeat on the other front. And vice versa, the success of the US on one of these fronts, for instance in Ukraine, will be a driving force for the success of the Kurdistan plan. Therefore, just as Russia’s support for Türkiye in the Eastern Mediterranean region, Cyprus conflict and the elimination of PKK/PYD terrorism is important for Russia’s vital interests, Russia’s successes on the Ukrainian front are crucial for Türkiye’s vital interests.