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President of Russia Vladimir Putin argued that Ukraine has historically been part of Russia during a speech in which he also signed decrees recognizing the independence of the separatist regions of eastern Ukraine, prompting President Biden to impose new sanctions.
“I will start with the fact that modern Ukraine is completely created by Russia, or rather, Bolshevik, communist Russia,” Putin said. said in a speech On Monday, it was translated into English by the Kremlin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin
(Yuri Kochetkov / Pool)
PUTIN ACKNOWLEDGES PARTS OF UKRAINE INDEPENDENT
Putin has targeted the current government for trying to distance itself from its historically Russian and Soviet past, arguing it would have consequences.
“Do you want decommunization? Well, decommunization is very suitable for us, ”Putin said. “Let’s show what real decommunization means for Ukraine.
“For some reason, Khrushchev gave Ukraine a separate status,” Putin said. “Why did we have to be so generous and then give these republics the right to leave? Madness!”
The Russian president would seem to have argued that Ukraine’s current government is illegitimate, believing that the country is in fact ruled by the United States and NATO allies from the US Embassy in Kiev.
President Vladimir Putin
(Sputnik, photo of the Kremlin basin via AP)
Putin also criticized former leaders, whom he accused of handing over territories that “historically were Russia” to independent states.
These statements were made during an unorthodox television meeting of the Russian Security Council, which ended with Putin signing decrees recognizing the independence of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine as independent and sovereign.
“I believe that it is necessary to take a long-overdue decision to immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic,” Putin said.
The move was immediately met with international condemnation, including the White House’s announcement of additional sanctions.
“President Biden will soon issue a decree banning new investments, trade and funding by US individuals in the so-called DPR and LPR regions of Ukraine, with or in the so-called DPR and LPR regions,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Monday.
“This EO will also give the authority to impose sanctions on anyone who decides to act in these parts of Ukraine,” she continued. “To make it clear: these measures are separate from the rapid and tough economic measures we are preparing in coordination with allies and partners, and will be in addition to them in the event of further Russian invasion of Ukraine.”