Tonight, the Russian president formally recognised the two breakaway regions in the Donbass as independent and autonomous entities – giving full and total recognition of autonomy to the self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, located in eastern Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin signed a presidential decree formally recognising the independence of the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, now formerly part of Ukraine. The move has been met by tantrums by western leaders, as fears grow that desperate Western allies will now seek to further ratchet-up tensions.
Within hours of the historic announcement, President Putin ordered special Russian military units to enter the Donbass in order to “secure the peace” in the newly recognized Donbass republics. The reaction from western leaders has been that of condemnation – with US, UK and EU politicians now threatening new sanctions amid claims of a “Russian invasion” and a “Russian land grab.”
Earlier in the evening, 21WIRE editor Patrick Henningsen spoke with RT International following the announcement by President Putin. Watch:
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