Crisis in Ukraine Putin acknowledged the independence of the separatist regions, a diplomatic solution was jeopardized by the crisis in Ukraine

Kiev

Ukraine the crisis that intensified around it took a new turn on Monday night as Russia recognized the independence of the separatist regions of eastern Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin on Monday night, he spoke for about an hour, accompanied by heavy and heavy sighs, at the end of which he acknowledged the independence of the “people’s republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk, which were ruled by pro-Russian separatists.

Before the televised speech, Putin informed the French president Emmanuel Macronille and the German Chancellor Olaf Scholzille its intention to recognize the independence of the regions.

In his speech Putin described Ukraine as an integral part of Russian history and said that eastern Ukraine is an ancient Russian country. He expressed his belief that the Russian people stand behind the recognition of independence.

Putin based his decision on Russia’s history and expressed Russia’s concern for its security, especially because of NATO enlargement. According to Putin, the West has ignored Russia’s security concerns.

Putin said he was even forced to recognize the independence of the regions because he said the situation in eastern Ukraine was unsustainable for the people of the region. Russian media reported on Monday that more than 60,000 “evacuees” have already fled the separatist region to Russia.

Fighting in eastern Ukraine has intensified in recent days, for which Russia has blamed Ukraine.

Separatist areas recognition of independence will lead to the crumbling of the 2014 ceasefire agreement in Minsk. The aim of the agreement was to stop the fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Russia may also openly transfer troops to rebel areas.

Recognition of independence jeopardizes the path of diplomacy in resolving the crisis in Ukraine, as the presidents of Russia and the United States Joe Biden the realization of the summit planned between the two is now at stake.

After the recognition of independence, the ruble began to depreciate, as did the Moscow Stock Exchange. Among other things, the Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg condemned Putin’s action. The European Union has warned Russia of sanctions.

In Finland, too, the President’s Office informed that Finland condemned Russia’s “unilateral actions that violate Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty”.

Recognition of independence the day before, a meeting of the Russian Security Council, in which members of the council tried to reassure them of the importance of Putin’s recognition of independence.

At the end of a one-and-a-half-hour meeting that seemed like a theater, Putin said he was thinking about it. The Kremlin later announced that Putin would give a speech to the people via video. The Russian State Duma had long advocated the recognition of the separatist territories as independent.

After the speech, leaders of Putin and the separatist regions signed treaty documents on recognition of independence and on friendship, cooperation and assistance.

According to Russian media, fireworks were held in the pro-Russian Donetsk region after the declaration of independence.