Residents in Russian-controlled areas in Ukraine will select their future status, according to the Kremlin.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin; he said residents of such areas must “decide how and with whom they wish to live.”

Peskov made the statement during a press conference call; this happened after being asked about Russian officials claiming that Russia could seek to integrate the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson that it had taken.

According to a Kremlin spokeswoman, authorities should concentrate on delivering basic amenities to residents of Russian-controlled territories.