Putin Reportedly Recognizes Ukrainian Region As Independent State

Russian state media reports that Vladimir Putin has told French and German leaders that he will sign recognition of the contested Donbas region of Ukraine as an independent state.

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Putin Reportedly Recognizes Ukrainian Region As Independent State

[ntsejfamyaj]

This is required in order to cross the Ukrainian border without "entering" Ukraine.

[WeylandLabs]

This is what being in power for too long looks like, they always want more power.

[Groove.]

Mexico could recognize Texas as an independent nation and Ted Cruz get his wish to leave the US.

[kaeso]

Him recognizing donetsk and luhansk is significant because that's the pathway to send russian troops in...it is similar to what happened in crimea

[pumamanta]

Please remember innocent people are often the most vulnerable and damaged by wars. No one of us wins

[BoltPin_]

Wait, isn’t this what led to WWII? A dictator wanting more and more territory until they inevitably invade It?

[davidellis]

🎶 Hey !! Putin ! Leave Ukraine 🇺🇦 😒 Alone ! 🎶

[darktype]

Donbass has been waiting for this for a long time, we have a holiday despite the shelling from Ukraine, now everything will be different. Thanks to Putin and Russia. 😇💪

[Vimlan]

He's just signed a decree to recognise Ukrainian separatist regions....let the sanctions begin

[jstnxprsn]

That's like Europeans, a few centuries back, recognizing North America as an extension of Europe.

[jockyoung]

The ironic thing is that Ukraine would probably have never joined NATO, but now Putin has made it more likely that they will.

[px]

Hoping for the best, and preparing for worst. Putin is not someone anyone can trust so easily.

[bonefishboards]

And remaining Ukraine becomes the newest NATO member.

[tayzonday]

I recognize my home as an independent state. Will Putin annex me?

[CrankyDoodleDandy]

There was no way Putin was ever gonna pull troops back and not do this land grab. It was obvious from the start and he did the same when he annexed Crimea.
This reminds me when Chamberlain said “a quarrel in a far away country, between people of whom we know nothing"
China will do the same soon.

To stop a bully you have to confront the bully. Sending troops over wouldn’t have been to start a war. It would have prevented one, just like in 1945 and the creation of the iron curtain.

[AS-plwu]

"Neville Chamberlain"
Believe it when he backs off militarily. A signed document won't stop tanks....etc.

[BlackCherubimintheflesh]

I guess he wants Ukraine to be in NATO?

[SteveODonnell]

History repeating itself. Throughout the volatile summer of 1938 the British Government, led by newly elected Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, eagerly sought to avoid confronting Hitler over Czechoslovakia. Hitler seized the opportunity provided by British hesitancy and moved aggressively toward war with Czechoslovakia. As summer's days began to wane Hitler's speeches became even more warlike. Hitler ordered German combat units placed on a heightened state of alert and the Wehrmacht frantically prepared for invading Czechoslovakia.

On September 15, 1938 Chamberlain, desiring to avoid war, met with Hitler at Hitler's private retreat in Berchtesgaden. Hitler deceivingly told Chamberlain he coveted "only the Sudetenland". Chamberlain returned to London confident he could appease Hitler and win French and Czech acquiescence for Hitler's "request"

[vattenpoel]

I just heard on Al Jazeera that these two regions claim a larger territory than they currently occupy. If true, this is not good

[michael]

"Look Hitler is invading the rest of Czechoslovakia", is about to turn into "Look Putin is invading the rest of Ukraine"