Russian leader Vladimir Putin extended official recognition to two breakaway republics in Ukraine’s far-eastern Donbas region in remarks delivered Monday night in Moscow, and followed by signing an order to deploy the Russian military to the contested area.
“They want to defend their basic rights, to live on their land, to speak their native language, to preserve their traditions and their culture,” the Russian leader said. Putin blamed Ukraine for putting citizens of the region in danger, insisting that “Russia did everything it could to keep the territorial integrity of Ukraine.” But citing the suffering of people in the region that Putin referred to as a “genocide,” the Russian leader said: “I deem it necessary to make a decision that should have been made a long time ago, to immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty” of the Donetsk People’s…
