Future of Ukraine's regions to depend on its residents’ will — Kremlin - TASS

The future of Ukraine's regions will depend on its residents’ vision of it, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.

"All actions have a forerunner, and the forerunner of any action in this regard can only be the expression of will of the residents of these regions, these areas [of Ukraine]," the Kremlin spokesman said.

"Nothing can be done without the will of the residents of these areas, without them deciding for themselves how and with whom they want to live further," Peskov stressed. This is how he commented on the words of some Russian politicians and officials concerning the prospects of certain Ukrainian regions.

The Kremlin spokesman also explained the plan of action in the Ukrainian regions, which are under the control of Russian forces. "The fact is that in these territories it is simply necessary to provide basic life support, it is necessary to guarantee social security. There can be no pause here," he said.

According to Peskov, "now many areas are without power, sewers and water." "And this must be dealt with. It is precisely because of the need for these priority measures, which are dictated solely by concern for people, that such statements are made," the Kremlin spokesman assured.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin spoke about the work of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, and Andrey Turchak, Secretary of the General Council of United Russia, spoke about the future of the Kherson region.