Russian President Vladimir Putin signed laws on Wednesday officially recognizing the annexation of four Ukrainian regions into Russia.

The laws finalize the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which each held elections to join their eastern neighboring country. The "referendum" elections were conducted by Russian authorities and Russian-separatists.

The elections were carried out in defiance of international law and Ukraine and the West have rejected them as a sham.

Earlier this week, both houses of the Russian parliament ratified treaties with the four regions, making the annexation legal in Russia’s eyes.

NORTH KOREA SIDES WITH RUSSIA IN ANNEXATION OF UKRAINE

A formal signing ceremony was held with separatist leaders last week at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia.

Putin and Russian security forces have vowed to defend the newly Russian-recognized territories using any means necessary.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.