Russia recognizes both Donetsk, Luhansk as independent republics

SANAA, Feb. 21 (YPA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Monday his intentions to recognize both Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics as independent from Ukraine.

Putin was shown on Russian TV signing a decree recognizing the breakaway Ukrainian regions, and received the presidents of Luhansk and Donetsk.

MR. President said that he would turn the tables on Ukraine, noting that European countries considered Ukraine a “puppet” to manipulate it, adding that he would not allow Ukraine to be a source of threat to Russia.

In his speech to the nation, Putin accused America of spending one million dollars a day in Ukraine to support the coups, arguing that the West controls the armed forces in Ukraine, pointing out that Ukraine’s accession to NATO threatens Russia’s national security.

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