Russian President Vladimir Putin recognizes the separatist regions of Lugansk and Donetsk in their much larger original Ukrainian borders. This means that the territorial claims of the separatists, who so far only control around 32 percent of the Lugansk and Donetsk regions, go well beyond the area they have previously administered. This poses a risk of renewed fighting with the Ukrainian government forces that control the rest of the country. Putin said Tuesday that the leaders of the “Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics,” which are recognized as independent states, must negotiate with the Ukrainian government.
At a press conference, Putin also declared the Minsk peace plan for eastern Ukraine to be over. The agreements would have been superfluous with the recognition of the sovereign states. He also said the Ukraine crisis could be resolved if the neighboring country was demilitarized and did not join NATO. In this way, the West can also save face, he said. Ukraine insists on being included in the western alliance because it sees itself as a threat from Russia. NATO emphasizes the principle of the countries’ free choice of alliances. According to Putin, Russia, on the other hand, sees itself threatened by NATO in front of its borders.
In addition, according to Putin, the “democratic countries” should recognize the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea as part of Russia. Moscow annexed it in 2014 against international protests. The will of the people there must be recognized, said Putin with regard to a referendum that was held in Crimea.
On Tuesday, the president also obtained permission from the Federation Council – the upper house of parliament – for Russian troops to be deployed abroad. Whether he makes use of the right will depend on the situation in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. State-related media had previously reported that Russian troops were already in the Donbass.