Russian President Vladimir Putin has recognized on Monday the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, the two breakaway territories in eastern Ukraine, provoking turmoil and backlash in the international community.
Signing the corresponding decrees recognizing the Donbas republics – hence rejecting diplomatic efforts to cease fighting – and pledging more assistance to Ukrainian separatists battling Kyiv’s forces, Putin stressed that he deemed the decision necessary and long overdue.
In a fiery speech following the signing, Putin blasted Ukraine’s growing security ties with the West and NATO, casting doubts on Ukraine’s right to self-determination by claiming that Ukraine has never had traditions of its own statehood, and calling its eastern part ancient Russian lands.
After consulting in an emergency session of the Russian Security Council with ministers, senior security officials, and government members to present their views on the matter and its potential political, economic, and strategic implications, Putin later asked the Federal Assembly to support the signing of treaties of cooperation with the Donbas breakaways.
Russian President has also urged Kyiv to immediately stop hostilities against the DPR and LPR, warning that, otherwise, the regime ruling Ukraine will be held completely responsible for the possible continuation of bloodshed.
Just hours following the recognition, Putin has ordered troops into the breakaway, Moscow-backed republics, in what he described as a peacekeeping mission since the decrees he signed guaranteed the Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic security with Russian troops.
Several US and Western officials cautioned Putin’s move could serve as a Russian opening salvo of a larger military operation targeting Ukraine although it is unclear if the most recent troop movements marked the beginning of an invasion of the country that Western leaders have warned about for weeks.
Russia has long provided separatists in eastern Ukraine with substantial backing such as advisory support and intelligence, and embedding its own officers in their ranks though Moscow has always denied having its own troops on the ground.
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