G7 condemns ‘sham’ Ukraine referendums as ‘illegitimate’

The voting in the areas occupied by Russia continued today, as did condemnation of the referendums.

It is widely expected that President Putin will declare these areas formally part of Russia by the middle of next week. That would signify an important escalation of the war.

At the same time Mr. Putin finds himself cornered at home between natonalist hardliners who want the war effort stepped up and many ordinary Russians who are afraid of being sent to the front.