Russia recognises ex-Ukraine Donetsk & Luhansk; France & Germany voice resentment

Russian President Vlimir Putin, on Monday, signed a decree recognizing independence of breakaway regions Donetsk and Luhansk. This come after President me a televised dress to Russians on Monday. Earlier in day, Putin held a phone call with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Olaf Scholz and stated that he will be signing a decree recognizing independence of Donetsk and Luhansk. According to statement released by Kremlin, both French and German leers voiced dissatisfaction on hearing Putin's decision.

"Today, leership of DPR (Donetsk People's Republic) and LPR (Luhansk People's Republic) received appeals to recognize ir sovereignty in connection with military aggression of Ukrainian authorities, massive shelling of territory of Donbas, as a result of which civilian population suffers. With all this in mind, President of Russia said that he intended to sign a relevant decree in near future," re statement released by Kremlin on Monday.

statement furr noted, " President of France and Federal Chancellor of Germany expressed ir disappointment with this development. At same time, y indicated ir reiness to continue contacts." According to news agency Sputnik, Russian President will dress nation soon. Citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, news agency reported that he has confirmed media reports and ded "Mr President is expected to make a televised dress very soon." Notably, confirmation from Kremlin spokesperson came hours after Russian President held an extensive meeting of Russian Security Council on issue of wher to recognise independence of separatist regions (DPR and LPR) in eastern Ukraine.

It is pertinent to mention here that Putin decided on matter of recognition despite West's repetitive warnings and speculations that Moscow could use as a pretext for an attack on Kyiv. According to United States, Russian troops assembled on frontiers of Ukraine and POTUS Joe Biden even announced that Mr Putin has alrey decided to harm his neighbouring country, Ukraine. Yet, American and Russian presidents tentatively agreed to a possible meeting in a last-ditch effort to avert war.

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy calls Russia's Putin to meet and seek resolution to avert war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday called his Russian counterpart Putin to meet him and seek a resolution to avert  crisis. statement from Zelenskyy came during Munich Security Conference that also h in attendance several western leers including US Vice President Kamala Harris and United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. “I don’t know what president of Russian Federation wants, so I am proposing a meeting. Russia can pick location for talks," said Zelenskyy during conference. "Ukraine will continue to follow only diplomatic path for sake of a peaceful settlement," Ukrainian President furr ded.

Notably, on Saturday, separatist leers in eastern Ukraine ordered a full military mobilization despite a frequent warning from Western leers of invoking stringent sanctions-- both politically and economically. At time of writing this article, re was no immediate response from Kremlin over Ukrainian President's proposal. It is pertinent to mention here that battle between Ukraine's government and breakaway Donetsk and, Lugansk Republics is not new. It has been going on since 2014. In a bid to control violence in Donbas region, an accord called Minsk agreement was signed in February 2015. deal came after tough negotiations among leers of France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine — Normandy group. However, agreement did not exhibit desired result, and, it is visible only in papers, resulting in frequent sporic clashes.

(With inputs from AP)

(Image: AP)