Rejecting NATO expansion, Putin recognizes forgotten Donbas civilians

Pushback with Aaron Maté

After weeks of US claims that a Russian invasion of Ukraine was imminent, Vladimir Putin instead recognized the breakaway republics of Luhansk and Donetsk. The decision has triggered a new round of US-led sanctions while bringing attention to rebel-held areas, where, according to UN figures on the Donbas war, 80% of civilian casualties have occurred since 2018.

Professor Richard Sakwa analyzes the factors behind Putin's move, and its likely consequences. Putin's decision, he says, comes after Kiev refused to implement the 2015 Minsk accords, which could have ended the conflict, and a longstanding US-driven project to expand NATO to Russia's borders.

Guest: Richard Sakwa. Professor of Russian and European politics at the University of Kent. His books include “Frontline Ukraine: Crisis in the Borderlands” and his latest, “Deception: Russiagate and the New Cold War.”

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#TheGrayzone

[thetigerking]

No MSM will recognize the historical accuracy of his speech.

[ewalker]

Watched a press conference with the leaders of Donetsk. They made it quite clear they are no longer part of the Ukraine.

[Vierotchka]

Never forget that the overwhelming number of civilian casualties in the Donbass since 2014 were killed by the Ukrainian militias (neo-Nazi) and the Ukrainian army.

[a.esquivel]

Thanks dear Aaron for covering this. Msm is sickening!

[Vierotchka]

The Ukraine never implemented the Minsk Acccords (1 and 2), it kept moving the goalposts.

[marsmars]

can always count on Aaron for real information and legit opinion. Thanks!

[VickiNikolaidis]

Thank you for this worthwhile discussion. We can rely on Mr. Mate always

[Cornerforward]

This is an incredibly informative interview at a time of ridiculously high levels of misinformation.

[oitzingerpeter]

Let the American warmongers do their worst now. FJB.

[ОлесяСарина-зм]

I am so incredibly grateful for at least someone being honest about it in the West.

[moonwalk]

It's interesting to hear about the US claims regarding the threat to gay people posed by a possible Russian invasion.
Ukrainian Nazis aren't exactly known for their tolerance towards minorities; racial, ethnic or sexual ...

[JoeLinux]

I thought Kwanzala was going to straighten this all out. I see Russia as peace keepers, not invaders. Russia is just entering into an agreement. It in no way resembles the US invasion of Afghanistan or Iraq.

[petersepall]

You really are good at doing insightful interviews Aaron. Thanks.

[domingodeanda]

I congratulate Putin for taking care of business.

[ewalker]

The Ukraine was holding back flow in the pipeline into Europe. That's why Germany approached Russia for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

[geoffreywilliams]

This is an honest and an enlightening discussion . .

[bozo]

"Separatists are bad!"
- USA re: the Donbass

"Separatists are good!"
-USA re: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Kosovo, Xinjiang, Baluchistan...

[kelvinbritz]

Great interview Aaron. You always show American foreign policy for what it is!

[peterthegreat]

Putin has done the right thing . It is way overdue . And I applaud you Aaron for describing it ( forgotten ) . Yeah Donbas was forsaken for a long time . Europe plays with fire . They didn't learn the obvious lesson from persecuting the German population in Poland more than 80 years ago . Wish you a great day .

[Rossion]

Excellent guest (as usual). Thanks Aaron