Russia’s Putin recognizes sovereignty of 2 separatist Ukrainian regions Russia's President Vladimir Putin. (Alexei Nikolsky/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS/Abaca Press/TNS)
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to recognize the sovereignty of two breakaway areas in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region on Monday.
The two breakaway states, known as the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and the Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), are areas controlled by pro-Russian separatists. The New York Times reported Putin announced Russia’s plans to formally recognize the DPR and LPR’s sovereignty in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
“The president of Russia said that he intended to sign the relevant decree in the near future,” Russia’s Kremlin told the New York Times. “The president of France and the Federal Chancellor of Germany expressed their disappointment with this development. At the same time, they indicated their readiness to continue contacts.”
Shortly after the Kremlin statement, Sky News tweeted footage purportedly showing Putin signing a document recognizing DPR and LPR. “BREAKING: Vladimir Putin has declared he recognises the two separatist regions, Donetsk and Luhansk, in Ukraine as independent and has signed a decree recognising their independence.”
BREAKING: Vladimir Putin has declared he recognises the two separatist regions, Donetsk and Luhansk, in Ukraine as independent and has signed a decree recognising their independence.
More: https://t.co/I8u87vmXrM
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/RLsc1tZPj2— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 21, 2022
The decision to recognize the DPR and LPR as sovereign, in effect, carves out the two areas as from under Ukraine’s territorial control. The decision to recognize the breakaway areas comes as Russian state media has repeatedly claimed Ukraine has attacked the pro-Russian areas in recent days. Ukraine has denied initiating any of the fighting with the separatist areas. Western officials have accused Russia of faking Ukrainian attacks on the pro-Russian elements in order to create a pretext for its troops to intervene by crossing into Ukraine.
By recognizing the DPR and LPR as sovereign, Russia could claim it is not invading Ukraine but instead intervening militarily on behalf of sovereign states being attacked by Ukraine. As many as 190,000 Russian troops are currently gathered near Ukraine’s border.
Following Putin’s decision to recognize DPR and LPR, Associated Press reporter Zeke Miller tweeted, “MOSCOW (AP) — Putin urged Russian lawmakers to sign treaties with Ukraine’s rebel regions, enabling Moscow’s military support for them.”
MOSCOW (AP) — Putin urged Russian lawmakers to sign treaties with Ukraine's rebel regions, enabling Moscow's military support for them.
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) February 21, 2022
Following the reported announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted, “Given the statements made at the meeting of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I held urgent consultations with @EmmanuelMacron and [German Chancellor Olaf Scholz] and convened the National Security and Defense Council.”
Given the statements made at the meeting of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I held urgent consultations with @EmmanuelMacron and @OlafScholz and convened the National Security and Defense Council.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 21, 2022
Following Putin’s actions, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, “We have anticipated a move like this from Russia and are ready to respond immediately. President Biden will soon issue an Executive Order that will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine.”
“This E.O. will also provide authority to impose sanctions on any person determined to operate in those areas of Ukraine,” Psaki added. “The Departments of State and Treasury will have additional details shortly. We will also soon announce additional measures related to today’s blatant violation of Russia’s international commitments.”
Psaki said the sanctions for Putin recognizing DPR and LPR would be separate from sanctions the Biden administration has already threatened if Russia chooses to further invade Ukraine.
Deutsche Welle also reported German chancellor Olaf warned Moscow against recognizing the breakaway area and said such actions would be “a unilateral breach” of the 2015 ceasefire to what has been an ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Reuters reporter Idrees Ali tweeted, “BRUSSELS, Feb 21 (Reuters) – The European Union will ask member states to decide over sanctions on Russia should Moscow recognise the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics in eastern Ukraine, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said on Monday.”
BRUSSELS, Feb 21 (Reuters) – The European Union will ask member states to decide over sanctions on Russia should Moscow recognise the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics in eastern Ukraine, the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said on Monday.
— Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) February 21, 2022
