Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the two “breakaway” regions of eastern Ukraine, on February 21, as independent states, escalating the West’s fears of triggering an impending war.
In a late-night televised address to the nation, the Russian President described Ukraine as an integral part of Russian history by stating that eastern Ukraine was formerly part of Russia, and he was convinced that the Russian people would support his decision, reports international media.
Putin gave a lengthy televised address that ended with his announcement, covering several decades of Russian history, from the Ottoman Empire to the current NATO expansion crisis, which he describes as a direct security threat to Moscow.
“I consider it necessary to take a decision that should have been taken a long time ago – to immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic,” Putin said.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Putin has sought to restore Russia‘s influence over the nations that have emerged, including Ukraine.
In the absence of sweeping security guarantees, including a promise that Ukraine will never join NATO, Russia has threatened unspecified ‘military-technical’ action, the same source specifies.
In reaction to the move, several nations, including the UK, are considering introducing new sanctions against Russia, BBC reports.
US estimates indicate that Russia has massed about 150,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders in recent months.
During an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said: “We support Ukraine’s call for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council. The Security Council must demand that Russia respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a UN Member State.”
The US diplomat further said in a statement, “Russia’s announcement is nothing more than theater, apparently designed to create a pretext for a further invasion of Ukraine.”
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