Russia has acknowledged the independence of the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, according to decrees issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin and published on Friday by the official legislative database.

One document recognizes "state sovereignty and independence of the Zaporozhye Region," while the other recognizes "state sovereignty and independence of the Kherson Region." Both decrees take effect on the day they are signed.

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The Russian President’s decision is based on universal principles and norms of international law, according to the documents, acknowledging and confirming the principle of equality and self-determination of peoples enshrined by the UN Charter, and with regard to the will of the people expressed in a referendum.

A ceremony to sign accession treaties with four new territories - the people's republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (DPR and LPR), as well as the Zaporozhye and Kherson areas - will be conducted in the Kremlin at 15:00 Moscow time, according to Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Russia recognized the independence of the DPR and the LPR in February.

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From September 23 to 27, referendums on joining Russia were held in the DPR and LPR, as well as in the Zaporozhye and Kherson areas. The voting question in the Zaporozhye and Kherson areas stated, "Are you in favor of the region leaving Ukraine, creating an independent state, and joining the Russian Federation?" The overwhelming majority of residents said yes to such questions.

Putin previously stated that Moscow will back the outcome of these referenda.