Ukraine: Russia recognizes independence of separatist territories, Putin announces

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his televised address, February 21, 2022. © Kremlin

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The Russian president addressed the nation on Monday evening, in a pre-recorded address.

At the end of a long speech, he announced that the Russian Federation was going to recognize the independence of the separatist territories in the Donbass.

“ 

 ,” the Kremlin said shortly before he took the floor.

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Vladimir Putin warned, just before the broadcast of his speech, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that he would soon sign a decree concerning the Donbass region located in eastern Ukraine, reports the agency press release, citing the Kremlin.

Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz replied to Vladimir Putin that they were ready to continue the dialogue, the RIA news agency said, also citing the Kremlin.

The recognition of the independence of these separatist regions would constitute "

" of the Minsk agreements of 2015, judged the German chancellor, after a telephone interview with the Russian head of state, before the broadcast of his speech.

The French president convened a Defense Council on Monday evening, as did his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

Before these announcements from the president, the European Union had announced that it was ready to impose sanctions if Moscow decides to recognize the independence of the separatist regions, according to Josep Borrell.

For its part, the UN had called "

" from "

 " "

 " of Ukraine.

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• Vladimir Poutine