The Kremlin announced on Monday that President Vladimir Putin would recognize the independence of two territories in eastern Ukraine that are controlled by Russian-backed separatists, The New York Times reports. The recognition of the Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic could give Russia a pretext to invade Ukraine, and breaches a 2015 peace agreement meant to return the two regions to Ukrainian control.
The Kremlin said on Monday that Putin "intended to sign the relevant decree in the near future … The president of France and the Federal Chancellor of Germany expressed their disappointment with this development. At the same time, they indicated their readiness to continue contacts." With this latest announcement, prospects for a possible invasion-averting summit between Putin and President Biden now seem increasingly remote.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Today's political cartoons - January 20, 2025Cartoons Monday's cartoons - swearing in, do not pass go, and more
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
The long road ahead to rebuild life in GazaThe Explainer As the Israel-Hamas ceasefire takes effect, Palestinians return to find 90% of homes destroyed, health and water infrastructure in ruins, and acute food poverty
-
Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal on track to start by MondaySpeed Read A deal between Israel and Hamas to release hostages and begin a ceasefire was officially signed by representatives in Doha
-
Ukraine captures first North Korean soldiersSpeed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted videos of the men captured in Russia's Kursk region
-
Lebanon selects president after 2-year impasseSpeed Read The country's parliament elected Gen. Joseph Aoun as its next leader
-
US accuses Sudan rebels of genocide, sanctions chiefSpeed Read Sudan has been engaged in a bloody civil war that erupted in 2023
-
Ukraine goes on offense in Russia's Kursk regionSpeed Read A top adviser to President Zelenskyy said "the Russians are getting what they deserve"
-
Ukraine cuts off Russian gas pipeline to EuropeSpeed Read Ukraine has halted the transport of Russian gas to Europe after a key deal with Moscow expired
-
Top Russian general killed in Moscow blastSpeed Read A remote-triggered bomb killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense
-
Ukraine assassinations: what is Kyiv hoping to achieve?Today's Big Question Ukrainian security services are thought to be responsible for a string of high-profile deaths inside Russia
