Putin recognises Ukraine's separatist territories. We are one step away from war
Rights — di Andrea Barolini
Russia raises the tension of the Ukrainian crisis and war seems ever closer. Follow the liveblog with all the updates in real time.
Putin recognises Ukraine's separatist territories. We are one step away from war
Russia raises the tension of the Ukrainian crisis and war seems ever closer. Follow the liveblog with all the updates in real time.
- Russia has recognised the independence of Ukraine's separatist territories.
- On the evening of Monday 21 February, Russian president Vladimir Putin signed the decree.
- Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky convened the Security and Defence Council.
- The European Union threatens "devastating" sanctions against Moscow.
- Putin ordered the Russian army to "maintain peace" in Ukraine's separatist territories.
Russian president Vladimir Putin announced his intention to recognise the independence of the separatist territories in eastern Ukraine. "A decree will be signed shortly," the Kremlin announced. It is a concrete step towards war. The territories in question are those of Donetsk and Lugansk, in which the two nations accuse each other of violating the ceasefire negotiated in 2014.
Putin addresses the nation. Zelensky convenes the National Security and Defence Council
Speaking to the nation on television on the evening of Monday 21 February, Putin reiterated all of his claims against Ukraine. A speech that appeared to be preparation for armed conflict.
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.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky immediately responded by convening the National Security and Defence Council. The Kyiv leader confirmed the meeting in a message posted on the social network Twitter.
"In Ukraine they wanted to make an enemy of Russia"
In his address to the nation, Putin first recalled the historical origins of Ukraine, explaining how in his view it is not merely "a neighbouring nation" but "part of Russia's history." He then added that modern Ukraine was created by Lenin, "who was its architect and author." He went on to state that the situation in the Donbass had by now become critical.
VIDEO | Putin: "Considererò la richiesta di indipendenza dei separatisti". Il presidente russo durante un incontro sottolinea che "l'utilizzo dell'Ucraina come strumento per confrontarsi con noi è una minaccia seria". #ANSA ansa.it/sito/notizie/m…
The Russian president then claimed to have supported Kyiv with 250 billion dollars in aid between the moment of the collapse of the Soviet Union and 2013. "Ukraine," he declared, "has chosen a model very far from reality. Their goal was to make Russia an enemy and to hand out gifts abroad from an anti-Russian perspective. But they failed to build a strong state and became prey to their oligarch rulers. The radicals who came to power organised a regime of terror. We will do everything to punish those responsible."
"Ukraine's accession to Nato represents a direct threat to Russia's security," Putin added. Even though a prospect of accession to the Atlantic Alliance was in fact offered back in 2008, without a timetable ever having been set. Nevertheless, the Russian leader stressed that "the Ukrainian Constitution does not authorise the presence of foreign military bases, which has been circumvented precisely by speaking of Nato 'missions'."