In the culmination of the ongoing 8-years-long war between Russia and Ukraine, Russia has declared that it recognizes the "people's republics" in Donbas as "independent". This move is meant as the setup to jeopardize years of diplomatic negotiations around the conflict and disrupt peace in the region.
Prior to the recognition, pro-Kremlin channels have spread false justifications for the ongoing war. In a speech announcing the recognition, Putin blamed Ukrainians themselves for the escalation, calling it “a colony with puppets at its helm.”
Putin placed a demand for Ukraine to stop the escalation staged by the Russian militants, and there is a high likelihood that this may end up in a much larger conflict.
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