That's the end of our Russia-Ukraine live blog for Friday 30 September. 

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Britain imposes a new round of sanctions against Russia after annexation

Britain has imposed a raft of new sanctions on Russia, including a freeze on the assets of the country’s central bank governor, following the illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also summoned Russian Ambassador Andrey Kelin to protest the violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.

The sanctions include freezing the personal assets of central bank governor Elvira Nabiullina, who has been instrumental in steering the Russian economy since the invasion of Ukraine and extending the ruble into Ukrainian territory under Russian control. She will also be barred from traveling to the U.K.

The UK is also working with the US and other allies to prevent Russian entities from accessing a range of professional services around the world. British companies will be barred from providing services such as auditing, advertising, engineering, some types of legal advice and information technology consulting services to Russian firms.

Britain also imposed bans on the export of an additional 700 products to Russia.

G7 condemns Moscow's illegal annexation

The Group of Seven leading economies has condemned Moscow's annexation of occupied Ukrainian territory as “a new low point in Russia’s blatant flouting of international law.”

The G7 called the move “another example of Russia’s unacceptable violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty, the UN Charter, and the commonly agreed principles and commitments of the Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter.”

The group, which includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, said they “will never recognize these purported annexations, nor the sham ‘referenda’ conducted at gunpoint.”

The G7 said it would impose further economic costs on Russia, and on individuals and entities – inside and outside of Russia – “that provide political or economic support to these violations of international law.”

NATO chief says Russia's recent actions 'most serious escalation' since February

The partial mobilisation and the annexation of the four Ukrainian regions constitute the most serious escalation of the conflict since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday.

"Putin has mobilised hundreds of thousands of more troops, engaged in irresponsible nuclear sabre-rattling and now illegally annexed more Ukrainian territory."

"Together, this represents the most serious escalation since the start of the war," Stoltenberg told a news conference.

Elysée Palace: French president slams illegal annexation

Emmanuel Macron on Friday "strongly condemned the illegal annexation" by Russia of four regions of Ukraine, which represents "a serious violation of international law," said the French presidency.

"The President of the Republic strongly condemns the illegal annexation by Russia of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson."

This is a serious violation of international law and Ukrainian sovereignty. France opposes it and stands by Ukraine to face Russia's aggression and recover its full sovereignty over all its territory," said the Elysée Palace after President Vladimir Putin signed the annexation.

Putin speaks at Red Square rally

After his earlier speech at the Kremlin to announce the annexation of four Ukrainian territories, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared at the Red Square rally to address the gathered crowds.

"Russia does not only open the door to our brothers and sisters but it also opens its heart to them. Welcome home," Putin said, echoing the speech announcing the annexation of the areas of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk.

In a short address, Putin spoke with four occupation officials standing by his side, ending his words rhapsodising those fighting in Ukraine with a series of hurrahs. 

"Victory will be ours," he concluded.

The speech was again followed by the Russian national anthem.

Concert and rally held in Moscow in honour of Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territories

A pop concert peppered with speeches is being held at Moscow's Red Square, organised in celebration of Russia annexing four Ukrainian regions.

The event has gathered a crowd of an estimated 50,000, but the local media and witnesses on site are claiming that students and state employees have been ordered to attend.

Many are seen carrying Russian flags, St. George's ribbons and banners with the letter "Z" that has become synonymous with the invasion of Ukraine. 

Biden condemns Putin's annexation of four Ukrainian regions

US President Joe Biden blasted Russia's annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, saying that Moscow's actions have "no legitimacy".

Biden also vowed the US would “always honour Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders”.

“Russia is violating international law, trampling on the United Nations Charter, and showing its contempt for peaceful nations everywhere,” he said.

Biden further called on other international actors to “denounce these moves and to hold Russia accountable”.

Putin makes it easier for foreigners willing to join the army to become Russian nationals

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree making it easier for foreigners to obtain Russian citizenship if they join the army, a document published by the government Friday showed.

"Foreign citizens or stateless persons who sign a contract to serve in the Russian Armed Forces... for at least one year and take part in military operations for at least six months" will be eligible for the simplified application procedure, the decree said.

Foreigners who are injured in combat before six months of fighting are up and cannot return to the battlefield will also be eligible, according to the decree.

No immediate comments from NATO on Ukraine's membership bid

NATO was not immediately able to respond to questions about what Ukraine's “accelerated" application to join the alliance would mean.

Ukraine is already considered an “aspirant country” for membership in the world’s biggest security alliance, along with Georgia. All 30 NATO allies would have to agree for the country to join.

NATO is wary of allowing any country to join when its borders and territory are not clearly defined.

NATO’s Article 5 defence clause – the pledge that all allies must come to the aid of any ally whose territory is under threat – would be compromised in the case of Ukraine, as it is unclear what parts of the country would join.

Ukraine has officially applied for membership in the European Union, but member countries have warned that it would take several years for the conflict-torn country to be able to join.

US hits Russia with further sanctions 

The US on Friday sanctioned more than 1,000 people and firms connected to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin signed treaties absorbing occupied regions of Ukraine into Russia in defiance of international law.

The Treasury Department named hundreds of members of Russia's legislature, leaders of the country's financial and military infrastructure and suppliers for sanctions designations.

The Commerce Department added 57 companies to its list of export control violators, and the State Department added more than 900 people to its visa restriction list.

Russia's Central Bank governor and families of National Security Council members are also on the new sanctions list.

"We will not stand by as Putin fraudulently attempts to annex parts of Ukraine," said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

"The Treasury Department and US government are taking sweeping action today to further weaken Russia's already degraded military industrial complex and undermine its ability to wage its illegal war."
 

Ukraine files official application to join NATO

Ukraine has submitted an official application to join NATO, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after Putin's annexation of four Ukrainian regions earlier on Friday.

"We are de facto allies already," Zelenskyy said. "De facto, we have already proven compatibility with Alliance standards."

"Ukraine is applying to confirm it de jure by an expedited procedure," he stated.

Read more here:

Kyiv announces bid to join NATO after Russia annexes Ukrainian regions

EU migration commissioner asks member states to curb issuing visas to Russians after Putin's annexation speech

The European Union’s top migration official is urging the 27 member countries to clamp down on issuing visas to Russian citizens amid heightened security concerns over President Vladimir Putin’s nuclear threats and move to annex parts of Ukraine.

Migration Commissioner Ylva Johansson called Putin's actions “clearly an escalation and that means also an escalation of the security threat towards the European Union.” She urged EU countries to enforce more stringent checks on Russian nationals and deny documents to anyone who might pose a threat.

Johansson said that EU authorities must stop short-term visa holders from Russia from renewing them in Europe and that Russians who have fled the country should not be allowed to apply for visas abroad.

She said that none of the measures the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, is recommending would stop Russian citizens from applying for asylum in Europe.

What is the Russian legal procedure to formalise annexations from this point forward?

Although the annexation documents were signed by Putin after his speech, there are several legal steps -- considered to be a formality -- that have to take place before the annexations come into full effect:

• The Constitutional Court has to approve the annexation, which is expected to happen in the upcoming days.
• The State Duma -- the lower house of the Russian Parliament -- has to approve the agreements and adopt changes to the Russian constitution that would acknowledge the expansion of the country.
• The Federation Council has to approve all of these decisions, which will then go back to Putin for ratification.
• The process is expected to be completed by early next week. 

Putin's proclamation 'won't change anything,' says Von der Leyen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reacted to the ceremony at the Kremlin on Twitter, stating that "the illegal annexation proclaimed by Putin won't change anything."

"All territories illegally occupied by Russian invaders are Ukrainian land and will always be a part of this sovereign nation," she posted, sharing a joint statement by the members of the European Council.

"We will strengthen our restrictive measures countering Russia's illegal actions. They will further increase pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression," the statement reads.

"We reiterate that the European Union firmly stands with Ukraine and will continue to provide strong economic, military, social and financial support to Ukraine for as long as it takes."

The ceremony ends as Russian anthem is played

The four Moscow-appointed officials are now standing next to Putin as the anthem of the Russian Federation is being played.

The rest of the officials at the hall are standing in attendance.

The signing of the annexation agreement takes place

Putin is now ceremonially signing the annexation agreements with the Moscow-appointed representatives of the four areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Volodymyr Saldo of Kherson, Yevhen Vitaliiovych Balytskyi of Zaporizhzhia, DNR's Denis Pushilin, LNR's Leonid Pasechnik are seated at a table away from Putin, who is signing the agreements as they are brought to him by assistants.

Russia chose its own path away from 'Western values', Putin says

Putin then turned against the LGBTQ+ community and other vulnerable groups.

In what he said was a fight on the "path of freedom and justice for ... great and historic Russia", Putin criticised what he labelled as Western values such as woke culture and "gender ideology", claiming that Russia has chosen its own way against "horrible experiments aimed to break (our) soul".

Earlier in the speech, he claimed that Russophobia was an example of overt racism.

Putin blames the West for Nord Stream pipeline explosions

After another digression into history, Putin continued to criticise the US and the West, enumerating historical events such as the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and claiming the US is still holding "Korea, Japan and even Germany" under occupation.

He also blamed the US and the UK for forcing European nations to enact sanctions against Russia, as well as forcing the EU not to purchase gas from the Kremlin.

"The US is pushing for a complete cut-off of Russian energy to the EU in order to capture the European market themselves."

The Nord Stream pipeline explosions on 27 September were caused by Western sabotage, Putin said.

"Anglo-Saxons are not happy just with sanctions. They're moving into terrorist acts, having arranged the explosions of gas pipelines in the (Baltic) sea."

Putin continues talking about history, slams the West 

After delving into historical justifications for Moscow's aggression against Ukraine, Putin now talks about the role of the West and its perception of Russia.

"They want to see us as their colony, they want to rob us," Putin says. "They are using double standards, triple standards. They're taking us for fools."

"Russia will not continue to live under these false rules." 

European Parliament president says EU does not recognise 'illegal annexation'

In a tweet on Friday, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola slammed Putin's annexation speech, saying that the bloc does not recognise "Russia's sham referenda (and) Kremlin's illegal annexation.

"We #StandWithUkraine," she concluded.

Putin invokes Soviet Union legacy, claims the four occupied areas are now 'Russia forever'

Ukraine made a mistake in leaving the USSR, Putin said. It belongs to Russia, according to him.

But the annexation -- which he labelled as an "expression of the will of the people" -- means that Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson are now "Russia forever".

Putin begins his speech

Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun his speech to formally annex Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

His opening remarks included asking for a moment of silence for those killed on the Russian side in the war in Ukraine, or what he insisted on calling "special operation".

Zelenskyy: 'Everything will be Ukraine'

Ukraine's president says his country will not give up on retaking all the regions which are occupied and to be annexed by Moscow.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on his Telegram channel on Friday that Ukraine is in control of the situation and that “Everything will be Ukraine”.

Zelenskyy said he discussed the plans for the liberation of Russian-occupied territories with Ukraine's supreme military commander-in-chief.

He said Ukraine is continuing to supply its troops with further weapons and ammunition.

Officials gather as Putin is to commence his speech

The ornate Kremlin hall where Russian President Vladimir Putin is about to give his speech is completely full, with officials arriving before time to take their places.

According to the announced programme, Putin's formal annexation of four areas of Ukraine will be followed by a pop concert at Red Square.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are in the hall.

All four Russian-appointed leaders of the occupied regions to be annexed are also in attendance.

Areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia to be annexed by Russia unclear, says Peskov

Moscow has recognised the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics within their 2014 borders, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said on Friday.

The borders of the parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson that Putin is about to formally annex are unclear, according to Dmitry Peskov.

"I need to clarify this. I can't answer this question right now," Peskov said.