Putin Recognizes the Donetsk and Luhansk Republics as Independent States

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an address to the Russian people that he recognized the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics as independent states. At the end of the address, Vladimir Putin signed presidential decrees recognizing the republics and signed agreements on friendship and cooperation. Shortly before that, he told the leaders of France and Germany that Russia would recognize the self-proclaimed "republics", according to a statement on the Kremlin's website.

Bulgaria Condemns Putin's Recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk

In a long speech that began with historical explanations that Ukraine is part of Russia, he said that "Kyiv's ruling elite is constantly declaring its unwillingness to implement the Minsk agreements" and is preparing for a "new blitzkrieg" in Donbas, something Ukraine denies). No matter how the deputies in parliament change, the nationalist regime in Kyiv "does not change in essence". "In this regard, I intend to accept the decision to recognize the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics," he said.

Putin is Sending Troops to Luhansk and Donetsk as "Peacekeepers"

Putin said the situation in eastern Ukraine had become critical again and stressed that Ukraine is an integral part of his country's history.

"Once again I want to emphasize that for us Ukraine is not just a neighboring country. It is an integral part of our own history, culture and spiritual space. These are our comrades, relatives, among whom we have not only colleagues, friends but also people who have blood and family ties with us," he said. According to him, Ukraine was created by Russia, and more precisely by Bolshevik Russia and Lenin, and after...