Moscow intends to sign decree on Donbass soon - Putin to Macron, Scholz
The Russian statements have sparked fears within Ukraine, causing the latter to contact its western allies and convene its national security council.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the Security Council in Moscow, Russia February 21, 2022 (Sputnik)
Russian President Vladimir Putin told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that Moscow intends to sign a decree recognizing the independence of the Donbass region, the Kremlin announced Monday.
The two western leaders voiced their disappointment over Moscow's decision, the Kremlin added, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell accusing Russia of creating the "biggest threat to European security since WWII."
The European diplomat said the 27-nation bloc called on Russia not to recognize the independence of the LPR and DPR, threatening Moscow with united reactions from the West.
Following the talks with the Russian leader, Macron and Scholz talked to their Ukrainian counterpart.
Zelensky said he held "urgent" consultations with the French president and German chancellor and convened his National Security and Defense Council in light of the statements made during the Russian Security Council meeting on the Donbass region.
"Given the statements made at the meeting of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I held urgent consultations with Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz and convened the National Security and Defense Council," Zelensky said on Twitter.
Given the statements made at the meeting of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, I held urgent consultations with @EmmanuelMacron and @OlafScholz and convened the National Security and Defense Council.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 21, 2022
The latest round of tensions over the Donbass region comes as Ukraine launches offensives against the region that the Russian State Duma is considering recognizing.
The Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR) accused Kiev of repeatedly shelling the Donbass region with 120mm mortars, which are banned by the Minsk accord.
Ukrainian fears are currently mounting over Russia saying it had no other option but to recognize the republics in the Donbass region, saying Kiev has amassed over 59,300 troops near the contact line with Lugansk and Donetsk, and Ukraine is attacking predetermined targets in the LPR (Lugansk People's Republic) and DPR (Donetsk People's Republic).
"For several years now, the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics, the citizens of these republics have been looking with hope and asking Russia to protect them in the hope of working, raising their children, living in peace," Russian Federal Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov said.
