Putin Officially Recognizes Independence of Pro-Russian Separatists in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Monday, signed a decree as he recognised the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region.

In an emotional address broadcast on state-run television, Putin said: "I believe it is necessary to take a long overdue decision, to immediately recognise the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic."

Following the hour-long speech, Putin stated that if Ukraine did not "immediately" end military operations in its eastern regions, Kyiv would hold "all responsibility for the possible continuation of bloodshed"

The Russian leader has previously stated that there are no prospects for implementing the 2015 Minsk peace accord to end the conflict with Ukraine.

“We understand that there are no prospects” for the implementation of the 2015 Minsk peace accords, agreed with France, Germany and Kyiv, to end tensions with Ukraine, he told his security council.

“The use of Ukraine as an instrument of confrontation with our country poses a serious, very big threat to us,” the Russian leader added.

Western leaders have warned Russia against planning to invade its pro-Western neighbor after massing more than 150,000 troops on its borders, a claim Moscow has repeatedly denied.