The Republic of Moldova strongly condemns Russia’s plans to annex the occupied territories in eastern and southern Ukraine by so-called referendum. The statement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, following the announcement made recently by Russian President Vladimir Putin, IPN reports.

“We reaffirm this way our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders,” noted Nicu Popescu.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced a partial military mobilization in Russia. The Russian leader said his aim was to “liberate” east Ukraine’s Donbas region, expressing support for referendums in Russian-occupied territories in eastern and southern Ukraine. On Tuesday, Russia’s proxy states in Donbas region, the self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk, declared they would imminently hold referendums on being recognized as part of Russia. The so-called referendums, to be held between September 23 and 27, in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces, represent around 15% of Ukrainian territory.