"Desperate action by the Kremlin". Poland condems Russia's annexation of Ukrainian regions

A defiant Vladimir Putin proclaimed Russia's annexation of a swathe of Ukraine in a pomp-filled Kremlin ceremony, promising Moscow would triumph in its "special military operation" against Kyiv even as some of his troops faced potential defeat.

The Russian president's proclamation of Russian rule over 15% of Ukraine - the biggest annexation in Europe since World War Two - has been firmly rejected by Western countries and even many of Russia's close allies.

It comes as Russian forces in one of the four regions being annexed face being encircled by Ukrainian troops after Putin ordered a massive mobilisation drive to get hundreds of thousands of Russian men to the front.

Poland's President Andrzej Duda said on Twitter on Friday that Poland condemned Russia's attempts to annex Ukraine's territory and would never recognize them. "We will continue to support the Defenders of UA until the aggressor is driven out."

"Today's desperate action by the Kremlin is a defeat for those who naively believed in a compromise with RUS," Duda said.

Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement, in which it "condemns in the strongest terms the illegal acts of 'recognition of independence' and 'incorporation' into the Russian Federation of parts of Ukraine's regions of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia".

"Ukrainian regions of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia constitute an integral part of Ukraine in accordance with international law. The Republic of Poland does not and will not recognize the results of the pseudo-referenda carried out in the abovementioned territories between 23-27 September 2022. The Republic of Poland does not and will not recognize the decrees of the President of Russia concerning annexation of the abovementioned territories, promulgated on September 29 and 30," the ministry said.

Polish MFA also called said acts "a direct violation of international law and yet another daring attempt at seizing parts of Ukrainian territory by Russia". "They confirm that Russia seeks escalation of the conflict and rejects its peaceful settlement."

"The international community cannot remain passive in the face of this blatant breach of fundamental principles of the international order. We call on the members of the international community to decisively and urgently increase military support to Ukraine as well as impose further sanctions on the Russian Federation. We are in favour of continuation of efforts aimed at complete international isolation of the Russian Federation," the statement reads.

The ministry also stressed that Polish authorities "unquestionably recognise Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in its internationally recognized borders". "We underline Ukraine’s sovereign right to defend itself and undertake any actions necessary to regain full control of its territory temporarily occupied by Russia. We will continue to support Ukraine’s efforts to repel Russian aggression."

"We call on Russia to immediately cease all violations of international law and to instantly and completely withdrawal its troops from the whole territory of Ukraine," Poland's MFA said.