Russian parliament told Putin, make eastern Ukraine a separate country
The lower house of the Russian parliament has voted on
President Vladimir Putin to recognize two Russian-backed separate regions in
eastern Ukraine as independent. The European Union has appealed to Moscow not
to implement it. Volodin, a member of the pro-Putin ruling United Russia party,
said the appeal would be sent to the Kremlin immediately. However, it is not
clear how long it will take the Kremlin to review it.
This move of Russia may provoke further controversy.
The recognition of the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk
People's Republics could kill the eastern Ukraine peace process, where more
than 15,000 lives have been lost in clashes between government forces and Moscow-backed
separatists in the region known as Donbass Is. Experts believe that if this
step of Parliament is approved, then the dispute between Ukraine and Russia may
flare up.
What has Putin said about the matter?
Speaking to the media in Moscow, Putin declined to comment
on how he plans to react. He said that the Russians are sympathetic to the
residents of the Donbass region, but they want the region's problems to be
resolved through the Minsk Agreement.
The European Union's top diplomat has warned Moscow against
recognizing the territories, saying it would be a clear violation of the Minsk
Agreements, and Brussels supported Ukraine's independence and sovereignty.
Biden said, Russia can still attack Ukraine
On 15 February, there were reports that some Russian troops
had been withdrawn, although Russia's military exercises with Belarus are
continuing. US President Joe Biden has said Moscow may still attack Kiev with
Russia withdrawing some troops. However, Vladimir Putin has consistently denied
attacking Ukraine.
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