Day 127 of the Invasion of Ukraine: Syria Recognized the Separatist "Republics" in Donbas, Zelensky broke Diplomatic Relations with Assad

Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

Syria has recognized the DPR and LPR

Syria has decided to recognize the independence and sovereignty of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, SANA news agency and Syrian state television reported, citing an official source from the foreign ministry.

"Embodying the common will and desire to improve relations in all areas, the Syrian Arab Republic has decided to recognize the independence and sovereignty of both the Luhansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic," the SANA source said.

The publications say the Syrian side will contact the two "republics" on agreements to strengthen co-operation and establish diplomatic relations.

Bashar al-Assad's intention to recognize the DPR was announced in mid-June by separatist leader Denis Pushilin, during the visit of a DPR delegation to Damascus.

On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of the DPR and LPR within the Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine, which separatists and the Russian army are still trying to reach with bloody fighting and the destruction of Ukrainian cities. Three days later, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, aimed at protecting the people of the self-proclaimed republics.

Apart from Russia, the independence of the DPR and LPR was recognized by South Ossetia (in 2014) and Abkhazia (in 2022) - territories that seceded from Georgia also with the help of the Russian army, but internationally unrecognized.

Zelensky breaks off diplomatic relations with Syria

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced last night...