Separatists in the regions of Ukraine’s eastern border with Russia, the so-called Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, have been waging a war against the Ukrainian central government since 2014 with Russian support.
Russian president Vladimir Putin says it is considering recognizing the independence of the separatist regions of eastern Ukraine. Putin has said it will make its decision during Monday, according to Reuters.
The so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic have themselves declared independence, but separatist regimes are in fact maintained by Russia.
Regional leaders appealed to Putin on Monday to recognize independence. The Russian Minister of Defense has also spoken out in favor of recognition Sergei Shoiguaccording to which Russia “should be clear on the matter” and recognize the independence of the regions.
According to a tweet from the Kremlin journalists of the Russian news agency RIA Novost, the issue will be discussed today at a meeting of the Russian National Security Council.
Recognition of the independence of the separatist regions may provide a reason for Russia to start larger-scale hostilities. Russia could claim to support its allies and protect the Russian-speaking population of eastern Ukraine.
Last week the Russian Duma, a parliament that called on Putin to recognize independence, also commented on the independence of the separatist regions.
In a vote on Tuesday, the Duma passed a petition to Putin to recognize the two separatist regions of eastern Ukraine as independent states.
Following the Duma vote, Ukraine demanded urgent talks with Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). According to the US ambassador to NATO, progress in recognizing Donetsk and Luhansk could be a new sign from Russia that the already very tense situation is escalating.
Separatists in the regions on Ukraine’s eastern border with Russia, the so-called Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, have been waging war against the Ukrainian central government since 2014. More than 14,000 people have died in the war over the years.
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