Russian President Vladimir Putin stated, on Monday, 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, Putin told his security council.
Furthermore, Putin pointed out that he would decide by the end of the day whether to recognise the independence of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. This step would inflame the tension with the West and Kyiv.
"I have heard your opinions. The decision will be taken today," Putin said after the meeting, which aired on state television for more than 90 minutes.
"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.
During the Munich Security Conference, U.S. officials reiterated that Russia would pay steep consequences if it invaded Ukraine.
“Let me be clear, I can say with absolute certainty if Russia further invades Ukraine the United States, together with our allies and partners, will impose significant, and unprecedented economic costs,” Harris promised in her remarks.
In the same vein, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asserted that there’s a price to pay if Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to invade Ukraine.
“It won’t be a long time for the Russian people, sadly, to feel the impact of the [sanctions because of] insecure decisions being made by their president,” she said.
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