NNA - Russia will formally annex four regions of Ukraine its troops occupy at a grand ceremony in Moscow on Friday, the Kremlin has announced, after it suggested using nuclear weapons to defend the territories.

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the annexation would be formalized at a ceremony in the Kremlin. The Russian leader will make a "major" speech, he added.

"Tomorrow in Saint George's Hall at the Grand Kremlin Palace at 15:00 (12:00 GMT) a signing ceremony will take place on the incorporation of the new territories into Russia," Peskov told reporters. -- AFP

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