Putin "Recognizes Separatist Republics in Eastern Ukraine"... Opens Path for Military Intervention

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on the 21st (local time) that he would recognize the independence of the pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. This is widely seen as opening the door for military intervention in the Ukrainian territory.

According to major foreign media including CNN, President Putin said in a national address that "it is necessary to make a long-delayed decision to immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) in the Donbas region," and signed a presidential decree.

President Putin claimed that "(the people of the Donbas region) are being abused by the (Ukrainian) government," and that "(Ukraine) is a colony under a puppet regime installed by the United States." He also requested the Russian parliament to support this decision and ratify treaties of friendship and mutual assistance with the two republics.

Accordingly, it is assessed that Russia has opened the way to openly dispatch troops to the separatist republic forces fighting against the Ukrainian government forces. Major foreign media reported that "Russia may intervene as an ally, claiming to protect the independent countries from Ukraine."

President Putin demanded "an immediate cessation of hostile acts," warning that "otherwise, all responsibility for the possibility of bloodshed lies entirely with the regime governing Ukrainian territory."

After reports emerged that President Putin would approve the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) declared by pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region, Western countries including the EU issued immediate warnings.

Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Belgium, "We urge President Putin to respect international law and the Minsk agreements, and we expect that he will not recognize the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk regions," adding "If annexation occurs, there will be sanctions."

French President Emmanuel Macron immediately convened a National Security Council meeting.

Earlier, the United States had warned that Russia's recognition of the two republics would be a serious violation of international law.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.