Thread by @AFP

#BREAKING EU slams Russia annexation votes, 'falsified outcome' in Ukraine: Borrell

#UPDATE EU slams "illegal" annexation votes Russia held in four occupied regions of Ukraine and their "falsified" results, foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says.

"This is another violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, amidst systematic abuses"

#BREAKING Kyiv calls for 'significant' boost of military aid after annexation votes

#UPDATE Kyiv urges West to increase military aid to Ukraine after pro-Kremlin authorities in 4 Moscow-held regions of Ukraine declare victory in annexation votes.
"Ukraine calls on the EU, NATO and the Group of Seven to immediately and significantly increase pressure on Russia"

#BREAKING Pro-Kremlin leader of Ukraine's Lugansk asks Putin to annex region

#BREAKING Moscow will not give out passports to mobilised Russians: government portal

#BREAKING Russian region bordering Georgia restricts access by car: authorities

#BREAKING Germany will 'never recognise' Russia's 'sham' votes in Ukraine, Chancellor Scholz tells Zelensky: spokesman

#UPDATE Ukraine called on EU and NATO countries on Wednesday to hit Russia with more sanctions and send more weapons to the frontline after Kremlin proxies held annexation votes in four occupied Ukrainian regions denounced as a "sham" by Western leaders ▶️ u.afp.com/iobn

#UPDATE Kremlin-backed officials in Ukraine appealed to President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to annex the regions under their control, after the territories held votes denounced by Kyiv and the West as a "sham" ▶️ u.afp.com/ioEv

#BREAKING UK 'will never recognise' Russian attempts to annex Ukraine territory: PM's spokesperson

The appeal to Putin represents a turning point in the seven-month invasion as Russian officials in Moscow suggest they could use nuclear weapons to cement the Kremlin's authority in the Ukrainian territories.

u.afp.com/ioDk