The two pro-Russian regions, which broke away from Ukraine in 2014, on Monday called on Russia to recognize their independence, after which Putin promised to return with a message, which he has now done.

In a speech to the nation, Vladimir Putin described Ukraine as historically Russian territory, but also as a corrupt rogue state that has long acted unfairly towards its Ukrainian-Russian inhabitants.

"Ukraine is an American colony ruled by a puppet government," Putin said.

Putin: Ukraine poses a threat

According to Putin, Western countries have turned the country into a weapons-laden area and a real threat to Russia's security, a threat that would be exacerbated if Ukraine becomes a member of NATO.

Putin reiterated Russia's statement that each country is certainly allowed to join whatever alliances it wants, but not at the expense of another country's security.

Ukraine and NATO have repeatedly replied that NATO is a defense alliance and that no country has the right to interfere in another's security policy decision.

The fact that several NATO countries have sent weapons to Ukraine has been motivated by the fact that Russia has gathered more than 100,000 soldiers at the border, which has created great concern about an imminent invasion.

EU: Will act

The EU and the US flagged measures, more specifically sanctions, against Russia if the recognition were to become a reality, which it has now become.

This is because the action would mean a breach of the disputed Minskavtalen.

Following Putin's speech, Lithuania's Foreign Minister called on the EU to impose immediate sanctions on Russia.

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson is also reacting strongly.

- It is starting to become clear that we need to apply as much pressure as possible, because it is difficult to see how the situation will improve, he says.

Do not believe in the agreements

The reduction agreements from 2014 and 2015 aimed to create a ceasefire and give the separatists a degree of self-determination, in exchange for Ukraine regaining control of the border with Russia.

However, implementation has been hampered by the fact that the parties have not been able to agree on how the points should actually be implemented.

Read more: Everyone points to the Reduction Agreement - so what's the problem?

And no peace has taken place - on the contrary.

Over the years, a number of armed incidents have taken place in eastern Ukraine, violence that has escalated markedly in recent weeks.

After a meeting with the Russian Security Council on Monday, Vladimir Putin said he could not see a peaceful way out of the conflict with the help of the Minsk Accords.

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SVT's Russia correspondent Bert Sundström explains what Putin's statement about the recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as Russian means for the tense security situation in the area.

Photo: SVT