Kherson’s Path to Russia: Formal Integration Plans and Regional Governance

The Kherson regional administration laid out a path that would bring the area into a formal relationship with the Russian Federation. Officials indicated that Kherson would request admission from President Vladimir Putin but would not become a separate republic, and a regional referendum would not be held. This approach echoes earlier arguments that the Crimea referendum lacked universal recognition and frames Kherson’s future as subject to Moscow through a single executive decree rather than a local vote. The timing hinges on a formal request that would establish Kherson as a full subject of Russia, according to regional leadership. At the same time, regional authorities signaled that a legal framework for Russia’s participation could be ready by the end of the year.