Russian President Vladimir Putin will sign a decree recognising two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent entities shortly, the Kremlin said, upping the ante in a crisis the West fears could unleash a war.
Putin announced his decision in phone calls to the leaders of Germany and France, who voiced disappointment, the Kremlin said in a readout of the calls.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told he plans to sign a decree recognising the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent entities, the Kremlin says.
The French and German leaders voiced disappointment after hearing the decision, the Kremlin said in a readout of the phone calls.
The West has repeatedly warned Russia not to recognise the separatists – a move that effectively buries a fragile peace process in the region.
Meanwhile, Russian military said it has prevented a “diversionary reconnaissance” group from breaching the border from Ukraine.
These developments fit a pattern repeatedly predicted by Western governments, who accuse Russia of preparing to fabricate a pretext to invade by blaming Kyiv for attacks and relying on pleas for help from separatist proxies.
Moscow’s move could torpedo a last-minute bid for a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden to prevent Russia from invading Ukraine, and the rouble extended its losses as Putin spoke on the issue, falling 3.3% on the day to 79.83 per dollar.
