Russia is prepared to use all means, including nuclear, „to defend itself”, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address to his nation on Wednesday, France Press reports. Putin, who has accused the West of wanting to destroy Russia, has ordered the partial mobilization of reservists, which might escalate the conflict in Ukraine. Putin also said he supported annexation referendums to be held in the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia. Pro-Russian authorities in four Ukrainian regions – Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk – have announced referendums for the unification with Russia, to be held in the coming days. In Donetsk and Luhansk there are separatist republics proclaimed as of 2014, whose independence had been recognized by Russia before its invasion of Ukraine. In Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, on the other hand, pro-Russian authorities were installed after a part of the two regions had been occupied following the Russian invasion in February. In Bucharest, PM Nicolae Ciuca said he took notice, with concern, of the Russian President’s statements regarding a partial military mobilization and the organization of the so-called referendums. The PM said that Romania will maintain its balanced stand and will continue to calmly monitor, alongside its NATO allies, the developments in the neighboring Ukraine.
