Putin said during his addressing the Russian Security Council that “I will make a decision today” over whether or not to recognize the Donetsk and Luhansk separatist republics at a moment of heavy fighting with Ukrainian national forces.
There were indications from the meeting that Russia would give the West a three day ultimatum and window before recognizing the separatist regions in eastern Ukraine – perhaps as a chance for last minute diplomacy to proceed; however, with Putin’s words it appears we’ll learn the fate of the region sooner than later.
However, Russia’s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov appears to be a voice of caution while other officials within the security council were in favor of independence.
Top officials in the meeting were asked whether they support the pro-Russian separatist republics…
If Putin does pull the trigger on recognition, it could virtually assure some level of a war or serious conflict, given that the breakaway republics would come under more intense attack from Ukraine’s army, leading to Russian intervention in defense of the “newly recognized” regions – if we soon get to that point.
Ukraine is now urging an immediate UN Security Council meeting as tensions soar and war looks to be on the horizon…
