Taipei, Sept. 30 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Friday condemned Russia for its annexation of Ukrainian territory after holding "fake" referendums last week, while also strongly protesting against Russia's military actions in Ukraine since invading it earlier this year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin initially declared the "independence" of two Russian-held regions from Ukraine on Thursday, paving the way for Zaporizhzhia and Kherson to become part of Russia alongside the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, which also used to be part of Ukraine but broke away in 2014.

On Friday, Putin announced that all four regions would formally become part of Russia.

Putin's proclamation came following hurriedly arranged referendums that were held in the Russia-occupied regions between Sept. 23 and Sept. 27, the results of which Moscow claimed showed that a large majority in those territories were in favor of becoming parts of Russia.

In a statement released Friday, MOFA said that Taiwan strongly condemned Russia for using the referendums as a ruse to annex Ukrainian territories.

The ministry said Taiwan would take the same position as other "like-minded" democratic nations and reject the results of the referendums.

Additionally, Taiwan will support the sanctions imposed on Russia by countries such as the United States and various European nations.

MOFA also stated that Taiwan strongly protested Russia's violation of the United Nations Charter when it invaded Ukraine in February this year.

It added that Taiwan implored other nations to respect and support the sovereignty of Ukraine, and that peaceful talks and negotiations should be the optimal solution for preventing humanitarian crises arising from military conflict.

Taiwan will continue to work with countries who share its democratic values, MOFA said, and stand against threats from authoritarian regimes to ensure the peace and stability of the world.