Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the Kiev administration "doesn't recognize any decision in the Donbas except the military decision" and said, "In this context, I consider it necessary to take a very late decision to recognize the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic as soon as possible." After his speech, Putin signed the decree recognizing the independence of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic, and then the so-called Luhansk People's Republic, at the Kremlin Palace. Representatives of the mentioned administrations were also present at the signing ceremony. At the ceremony, "friendship" and "cooperation" agreements were signed between Russia and the so-called governments of the separatists. Putin instructed the Russian Armed Forces to maintain "peace" in the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics. In the decrees consisting of five articles, it was stated that Putin instructed the Russian Armed Forces to carry out activities for the maintenance of peace in the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics. Moreover Putin also instructed the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conclude agreements on the establishment of diplomatic relations with the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk sides.
TURKEY FOREIGN MINISTRY: “UNACCEPTABLE AND REJECTED”
The Foreign Ministry of Turkey, on the other hand, described Putin's recognition decision as "unacceptable" and stated that they "rejected" the decision.
ZELENSKIY: “ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RESULTS IS WITH RUSSIA”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, "All responsibility for the consequences of the decisions taken rests with Russia," regarding Russia's decision to recognize the so-called separatist governments. Noting that recognizing the separatists could mean unilaterally exiting the Minsk agreements and ignoring the decisions taken in the Normandy Format, Zelenskiy stated that the decision undermines peace efforts. Reminding that their borders are well protected, Zelenskiy said that they are on their own territory and they are not afraid of anything.
USA STARTS SANCTIONS
United States of America (USA) Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that they strongly condemned the decision of Russia President Vladimir Putin to recognize the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. Blinken announced that they had temporarily withdrawn US diplomats from the capital, Kiev, to the city of Lyv, to Poland.
US President Joe Biden, on the other hand, announced that he will issue a decree banning all commercial and financial relations between the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics which Russia declared to "recognise their independence", and the US individuals and institutions.
NATO: “RUSSIA MAKES EXCUSES FOR INVASION”
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin to officially recognize the so-called administrations of pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Stating that he condemns the recognition of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic, Stoltenberg said, "This undermines Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, exhausts efforts to find a solution to the conflict, and violates the Minsk Agreement, to which Russia is also a party. Donetsk and Lugansk are part of Ukraine. Moscow is fueling the conflict in eastern Ukraine by providing financial and military support to the separatists. Russia is also once again trying to stage an excuse to invade Ukraine.”
EU: “THIS ILLEGAL ACTION WILL GET RESPONSE”
The European Union (EU) condemned Putin's signing of the decree in the strongest terms and threatened sanctions. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President Charles Michel, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and EU High Representative for Foreign Relations and Security Policy Josep Borrell, at the same time, shared on their social media accounts about the recognition of the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics of Russia and reacted to decision. The leaders' joint messages included the following statements: "The recognition of the two separatist regions in Ukraine is a clear violation of international law, Ukraine's territorial integrity and the Minsk agreements. EU and partners, in solidarity with Ukraine will react with unity and determination.”
MACRON REQUESTED A SANCTION DECISION ON RUSSIA
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Putin's decision and demanded that Europe take a decision on sanctions against Russia. Expressing that this is clearly a unilateral violation of Russia's international commitments and an attack on Ukraine's sovereignty, Macron demanded that an emergency meeting be held at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on this issue and that Europe take a sanction decision.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson described Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to officially recognize the so-called administrations of pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine as a "violation of international law".
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock asked Russia to reverse its decision.
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio stated that Russia's decision should be condemned as it is against the Minsk agreements and that it is a serious obstacle to the search for a diplomatic solution.
“WE PROTECTED THE BLACK SEA COAST FROM TURKEY”
In his address to the nation, Putin said, “In the 18th century, the area taken from the Ottoman Empire (now the Crimea and Ukraine's Black Sea coast) was called 'Novorossiya' (New Russia). We protected these shores from the Turks.”
“This was possible thanks to the courage of the soldiers who fought for the Black Sea coast in the 18th century, who took it from the Ottomans and named it Novorossiya. Now they want to forget that name,” he added.
SUPPORT FROM ESAD TO PUTIN
The first support for Russian leader Putin's decision to recognize Donetsk and Lugansk came from Moscow's closest ally, Syria. The Damascus administration announced that they are ready to recognize the two republics. Russia provided military support to the Bashar Assad administration in Syria, and Assad kept his seat. While the USA, NATO and the West, including Turkey, reacted to Russia, many countries that had good relations with Moscow announced their support. Especially Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, Nicaragua, , announced that they support the Russian leader Putin's decision to recognize the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luganks People's Republic.
2 UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS AND 1 CIVIL KILLED IN DONBAS
The process of evacuation of civilians to Russia in the Donbas region, which is under the control of pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, continues. The number of evacuees reached 90,000. According to the statement made by the Ministry of Emergencies of Russia, 21,000 people were evacuated in the last 24 hours. It was reported that 2 Ukrainian soldiers and 1 civilian were killed and 4 soldiers were injured as a result of the fire of pro-Russian separatists in Donbas.