Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly ordered troops to Ukraine’s separatist regions to carry out “peacekeeping functions” hours after stoking global condemnation for signaling his intention to recognize the breakaway areas.
In decrees released late Monday, Putin ordered his defense ministry to send forces to maintain peace in the two separatist-held regions in eastern Ukraine, The New York Times reported. However, it was not immediately clear from reports if troops would enter areas outside those controlled by separatists.
Putin’s order comes after he said that Moscow would recognize the regions, known as the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic, as independent, a move that signaled a rejection of diplomatic efforts to cease fighting.
“I consider it necessary to take a long-overdue decision: To immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic,” Putin said, according to The Associated Press.
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JUST IN: Putin orders troops to breakaway Ukraine regions https://t.co/Zhsa2l7xM7 pic.twitter.com/dJ84KVhxZJ
— The Hill (@thehill) February 21, 2022
Putin orders ‘peacekeeping’ troops to separatist regions of Ukraine https://t.co/6vk58pkg3I
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) February 21, 2022
Russia is invading Ukraine right now
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) February 21, 2022
Next up: Russian claims of a provocation or an attack, after Putin expressly warned Ukrainian government to cease hostilities https://t.co/mE2SZdW9Tk
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) February 21, 2022
Accepting apologies now here for all the patronizing nonsense from Western Europeans I had to listen to for 31 years telling me we Estonians were "paranoid" about Russian behavior.
— toomas hendrik ilves (@IlvesToomas) February 21, 2022
Putin wants war. Let’s give it to him.
Diplomacy has run out. Time to get serious.
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