Russian President Vladimir Putin has tried to portray himself as being on the right side of history. He is pushing ahead with the annexation of four regions of eastern Ukraine -- something his critics, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have framed as a "land grab."

Putin met online on Thursday with the heads of intelligence services from former countries in the Soviet bloc. He told them what he called the "collective West" is sticking to the past and pursuing a "policy of dictatorship."

Putin said, "Unipolar hegemony is collapsing relentlessly. It's an objective reality the West doesn't want to accept."

Putin's proxies in Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia claim they won overwhelming majorities in referendums on joining Russia. He is planning to sign documents of annexation on Friday. Organizers have planned a rally in Red Square.

Ukrainian leaders say the process does not make legal sense and dismissed the celebration as a "Kremlin freak show."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday that annexation would be a "dangerous escalation."

Guterres said, "It is high time to step back from the brink. Now, more than ever, we must work together to end this devastating and senseless war."

Russia is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Guterres said Russian leaders share a particular responsibility to respect the UN Charter.