Russian President Vladimir Putin this evening (Monday) signed an order recognizing the independence of the two pro-Russian separatist provinces in eastern Ukraine, Donetsk and Lugansk, after issuing a statement to the country’s state media amid tensions between Ukraine and Russia that have escalated recently. That “Western countries are ignoring Russia’s security situation.”
“For us Ukraine is not just a neighboring country, it is part of us, family ties. Ukraine is part of our culture and history. Modern Ukraine was founded by communist Russia,” Putin said, adding that “Ukrainians think because of them the country is independent – but that is not true.”
According to him, the Kiev administration is an American “puppet administration”, and Ukraine is not a natural state but is ruled by extremist groups. Putin further warned that Ukraine has the ability to produce nuclear weapons, “we will not ignore it, the international arena will change drastically.”
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, responded to the statement by saying that it was a blatant violation of international law and the sovereignty of Ukraine. “We will have to see now what exactly will happen in these areas before we decide on sanctions, but the West needs to apply as much pressure as possible because it is difficult to see how the situation will improve.”
Israel has evacuated the embassy in Kiev
Earlier tonight, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid announced that after assessing the situation in his office, it was decided that the Israeli embassy in Kiev would move to Lvov in the west of the country, against the background of tensions between the Ukraine-Russia border that had recently escalated.
“The consulate office in Lvov has been working to issue travel documents to Israeli citizens since Thursday (17.2) and will assist citizens interested in leaving the country mainly from land crossings to neighboring countries,” Lapid said, adding “the Foreign Ministry is preparing for any development, including the possibility of land departure.”
“In recent days, Israeli diplomats sent to Lvov and those in Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Moldova and Hungary have patrolled the border crossings with Ukraine and held meetings with the authorities at the crossings to ensure the passage of Israelis who want to leave Ukraine.
Earlier today, US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to hold a summit meeting mediated by French President Macron, according to the French statement. The announcement came after Macron was scheduled to meet with Putin and Biden.
In an interview with the BBC last Saturday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Russia was planning “the biggest war in Europe since 1945”. According to Johnson, all indications are that the Russian program has already begun “in some ways.” Johnson said intelligence claims Russia intends to launch an invasion of the capital Kiev, “the public needs to understand the huge price that could be involved in the fighting.”