<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that residents of four regions illegally annexed by Russia in 2022 "confirmed" their will to join Russia in local elections.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>He said Russia's invasion of Ukraine had saved people from nationalist leaders in Kyiv, who he claimed started a "full-scale war."</div><div><br></div><div>Russia launched a full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. Russian forces do not completely control any of the regions Putin claims were annexed and part of Russia. Western countries dismissed the outcomes as meaningless and illegal annexation, underpinned by mass coercion of voters.</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, Switzerland said it could fund demining efforts in Ukraine, despite its ban on arms exports to the country. Source: DW</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>