The Kremlin, in a statement, said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin in the “near future” will recognize the independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic regions in eastern Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine is an integral part of Russia historically, arguing it was a mistake for Soviet leaders such as Nikita Khruschev to give the country an independent identity.
“For some reason Khruschev gave Ukraine separate status,” Putin said during remarks at a security council meeting Monday. “Why did we have to be so generous and then give these Republics the right to leave. Madness!”
Putin argued that it was a fact that Ukraine was created by Soviet Russia and Vladimir Lenin, but has now been reduced to a “colony” that is government by foreign powers such as the U.S., who control the government from their Embassy in Kiev.
The remarks come as fears continue to build that Putin may be lining up a justification to invade Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is ordering the Russian military to help maintain peace in eastern Ukraine after the country recognized the independence of separatists regions in the country, thought it was not clear if the order meant Russian troops would be crossing the border into Ukraine.
The U.S. and European allies have moved to impose new sanctions on Russia in response to Putin’s move Monday, arguing it was a breach of international law.
