By Natalia Zinets KYIV (Reuters) – The United States accused Russia on Thursday of planning to stage fake independence votes to justify its conquest of territory in Ukraine, as Russian forces stepped up a major offensive in the east. Responding to repeated Ukrainian pleas to Western leaders for supplies of heavier weaponry and equipment, U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress on Thursday for $33 billion to support Kyiv, a massive jump in U.S. funding that includes over $20 billion for weapons and ammunition and other military aid. The package, also entailing $8.5 billion in direct economic as…