Putin’s announcement paves the way for Russia to openly send troops and weapons to the long-running conflict pitting Ukrainian forces against Moscow-backed rebels.

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Ukraine-Russia crisis
Putin recognises Ukraine rebel regions’ independence: Live
Putin’s announcement paves the way for Russia to openly send troops and weapons to the long-running conflict pitting Ukrainian forces against Moscow-backed rebels.

Russian President Vladimir Putin c signs a decree recognising breakaway Ukraine regions
Putin also said the West wanted to use Ukraine as a 'theatre of possible hostilities' [Sputnik/Alexey Nikolsky/Kremlin via Reuters]
By David Child and Ramy Allahoum
Published On 21 Feb 2022
21 Feb 2022
Updated:
4 minutes ago
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree recognising the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent entities.

“I deem it necessary to make a decision that should have been made a long time ago – to immediately recognise the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic,” Putin said in a televised address.

The West has repeatedly warned Russia not to recognise the separatist regions in Donetsk and Luhansk – a move that effectively buries a fragile peace process in the region.
Polish prime minister calls for immediate sanctions on Russia
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called Russia’s decision to recognise two regions controlled by separatists as independent “an act of aggression against Ukraine” and said sanctions should be imposed immediately against Moscow.

The decision to recognise the self-proclaimed ‘republics’ is a final rejection of dialogue and a flagrant violation of international law. This is an act of aggression against Ukraine, which must be met with an unequivocal response in the form of immediate sanctions,” Morawiecki wrote on Twitter.
EU to react with sanctions after Putin recognises Ukraine separatists
European Union leaders denounced President Putin’s decision and warned the bloc will react with sanctions.

“The recognition of the two separatist territories in Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law, the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the Minsk agreements,” EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel each tweeted.

“The EU and its partners will react with unity, firmness and with determination in solidarity with Ukraine,” they said.


https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/21/us-warns-of-possible-targeted-killings-by-russia-live-news