Russian President Vladimir Putin recognizes separatist Ukrainian regions amid crisis

23 Feb,22 9:30 am
350

Ukraine’s Donetsk and Lugansk: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the recognition of two separatist republics in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk and Lugansk as independent through a televised address on February 21, 2022.

Key Highlights:

  • The Russian leader signed a decree recognizing the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" (DPR) and the "Luhansk People's Republic" (LPR) as independent.
  • He called Ukraine a US colony with 'a puppet regime'.
  • He also stated that he had informed the French and German leaders of his decision.
  • He has also ordered the sending of Russian Armed Forces to the two breakaway regions of Ukraine after recognizing their independence.
  • The move has escalated fears among Western nations about a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

NATO, Germany, EU condemns Russia:

The recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as "independent" has been met with widespread condemnation from the West amid fears it could provide a pretext for a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

  • The US has strongly condemned President Putin’s decision to recognize the so-called “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” as “independent".
  • French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz too have strongly condemned President Putin’s decision.
  • Even, The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that Russia's decision to recognize Ukraine regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent is a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
  • NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has also joined in the international condemnation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in an address to the nation on February 22nd accused Russia of wrecking peace talks and ruled out making any territorial concessions.

Background:

  • Earlier, the rebel leaders of eastern Ukraine’s separatist Donetsk and Lugansk territories had appealed to Mr. Putin to recognize them as independent.
  • The conflict in the separatist regions began in 2014 when the two regions broke away from Ukraine's control.
  • The rebels loyal to Russia seized government buildings in Donetsk and Luhansk, beginning a long trench war with Ukrainian forces.
  • More than 14,000 people have died in fighting in the region shortly after Moscow annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.

About Ukraine:

  • Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe.
  • It is bordered by Russia to the north-east; Belarus to the north; Poland, Slovakia and Hungary to the west; and Romania, Moldova, and the Black Sea to the south.
  • The Capital of Ukraine is Kyiv.
  • The currency used here is Ukrainian hryvnia.
  • The current President of Ukraine is Volodymyr Zelensky.

India at UNSC:

  • The UN Security Council had also held an emergency meeting on Ukraine on February 21, 2022 upon request from the US and its allies.
  • The UNSC meeting on Ukraine was an open meeting.
  • India's Permanent Rep to United Nations, TS Tirumurti called for restraint on all sides.
  • He said that the escalation of tension along the border of Ukraine with the Russian Federation is a matter of deep concern.
  • These developments have the potential to undermine peace and security of the region and this issue could only be resolved through diplomatic dialogue.
  • He emphasized on the importance of the safety and security of civilians,
  • He highlighted that more than 20,000 Indian students and nationals live and study in different parts of Ukraine, including in its border areas and stressed that the well-being of Indians is of priority to India.

Share