Putin expected to decide Monday on recognizing Ukraine's separatist regions

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday he will make a final decision on recognizing Ukraine's separatist regions as independent states after members of the Russian Security Council unanimously supported the idea.

Speaking at a meeting in Moscow, Putin said the Ukrainian crisis started with the 2014 ouster of then-President Viktor Yanukovych, which led to the confrontation between the people of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the authorities that came to power.

According to the UN, in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, more than 13,000 people have been killed in clashes between pro-Russian separatists and the Kyiv government since 2014.

To settle the crisis, Germany, France, Russia, and Ukraine drafted the Minsk Protocol, but for years Ukrainian officials have been stalling its implementation, Putin claimed.

Putin said that Ukraine has been used "as a tool against Russia," which "represents danger" for the country's security.

Another challenge is the possibility of Ukraine's admission to NATO, Putin continued, arguing that the 2008 Bucharest declaration proves that NATO's doors are open for Ukraine and Georgia.

Saying that the declaration was made under US pressure, Putin added: “Where are our guarantees that they will not take a second step under pressure? There are no such guarantees.

"There are no guarantees at all because the United States easily renounces any agreements, any documents that they sign."

Putin then asked the opinion of each member of the meeting and all spoke in favor of the recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk's independence while suggesting, however, some final efforts, such as holding talks with sides having an influence on Ukraine, including the US, before making a final decision.

"Dear colleagues, I have heard your opinion. The decision will be made today. I want to thank you for this meeting, for this consultation," he said.

Tensions rose dramatically in eastern Ukraine last week, with reports of a growing number of cease-fire violations, multiple shelling incidents, and evacuation of civilians from the pro-Russian separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

The US has accused Russia of amassing nearly 150,000 troops along the Ukrainian border in preparation for an imminent invasion.

Moscow has repeatedly denied any plan to invade Ukraine and instead accused Western countries of undermining Russia's security through NATO's expansion toward its borders.