United States National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said on Tuesday that Russia is "laying the groundwork" to annex Ukrainian territory.
"Russia is beginning to roll out a version of what you can call an annexation playbook, similar to the one we saw in 2014," Kirby stated, asserting that Moscow is "installing illegitimate proxy officials," who will then "arrange sham referenda."
Furthermore, Kirby noted that Russia is now trying to establish branches of Russian banks and the ruble as the default currency in the areas in Ukraine under its control. He also underlined that Moscow has been "forcing the residents" in the occupied areas to "apply for Russian citizenship" and has been issuing Russian passports.
