Putin's decision, which Russia will regret: everything you need to know about "LDPR" recognition
The President of Russia signed a decree recognizing the self-proclaimed so-called republics of the "DPR" and "LPR" independent. The next day, the decree was unanimously ratified by the State Duma of Russia. And the Russian occupation forces have already officially joined the ORDLO and are shelling Ukrainian positions. We will explain everything you need to know about the situation.
Rubryka gathered the reactions of world leaders, the actions of the Ukrainian authorities, and the opinions of experts to understand what is going on, why Russia needs "LDPR" to be recognized, and what this decision will turn out to be for Russians.
Spoiler: nothing good.
What is the problem?
Neighbors suffering from dictatorship
On February 21, the entire world watched the Russians; the Kremlin staged a real show. First, Putin convened the Russian Security Council. The event seemed to be broadcast live. But viewers noticed that the time on the speakers' watches didn't coincide with the real thing, and The Insider announced the cuts, which couldn't be there in a real live broadcast. Then the Kremlin admitted that it was a record.
After the Security Council, Putin recorded a speech where he distorted the entire history of Ukraine, effectively denying its sovereignty and independence. He stated that Lenin was the creator and "architect" of Ukraine, that the Bolsheviks had forcibly pushed Donbas into its composition, and that Ukraine wanted to be a "dependent of Russia." He then resented decommunization and made several threats.
"Do you want decommunization? Well, it's fine with us. We're ready to show Ukraine what real decommunization is," the Russian president said.
After that, Putin's speech was reduced to the fact that Ukrainians almost live in poverty, and at the same time Ukraine is a significant threat to Russia. However, it's not entirely clear whether it's due to NATO's forthcoming accession, which Putin says will take place "if not tomorrow, then the day after tomorrow" or because of the possibility of producing nuclear weapons to scare the innocent northern neighbor.
It all ended with the signing of a decree recognizing the independence of the "DPR" and "LPR" and an order for the Ministry of Defense to support the young "republics" and ensure peace there.
Earlier, Rubryka has already talked about the legal status of such a decision and what it means. Then political scientist and co-founder of the Dialogue on Peace and Safe Reintegration National Platform Oleh Saakian explained:
"Before that, Russia was playing to exhaust so that it was impossible to reintegrate the territories, but so that they were formally under Ukraine's control. Thus, Russia tried to shake up the situation, hang a short leash on Ukrainian statehood, and thus oppose or destroy Ukrainian sovereignty under the guise of restoring territorial integrity.
If Russia recognizes these territories as independent, it will acknowledge that this scenario has failed, and will move to a scenario of tougher shaking of Ukraine and struggle against Ukrainian statehood by less covert methods. That is, it brings us to the scenario of a great war."
So, Russia recognized the "DPR" and "LPR." That same night, from the 21st to the 22nd, Russia officially introduced its troops into the occupied territories.
The occupiers continue to fire on Ukrainian positions, prepare provocations inside Ukraine and disperse fakes as if Ukraine was constantly preparing to attack Russia and not the other way around.
What is the solution?
The civilized world is outraged. Ukrainians are furious
Immediately after Putin's address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy convened a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council and later addressed Ukrainians saying that Ukraine had long been ready for everything and would respond in an adult way to Russia's actions and withdrawal from the Minsk Agreements.
On February 22, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov addressed the military, saying that the darkness of uncertainty had fallen and that what we had known it for eight years, now the whole world saw it. He also said that there were many losses and pains ahead, but also a victory.
Also during the day it became known that Ukraine would impose martial law only in the event of a full-scale invasion. At present, we are talking only about Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Ukrainian troops will not go on the offensive either but will keep the defense.
Civilized countries have condemned Putin's decision and called on him to change his mind. But there weren't just calls
- The United States imposed sanctions on the "DPR" and "LPR," banning its citizens from any commercial relations with the republics. Importantly, these sanctions are in addition to the secret package of sanctions that will be applied if the invasion continues.
- Germany has announced the suspension of the Nord Stream-2 certifications.
- Britain has already imposed sanctions on five Russian banks and oligarchs close to Putin.
- The European Parliament proposes to exclude Russia from the EU economy.
- Japan has announced sanctions against Russia.
- Latvia will supply Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine.
- Canada has made a second delivery of lethal military aid to Ukraine.
The list goes on. Almost all civilized countries have defended Ukraine and continue to develop measures to deter Russian aggression.
But some countries have voiced support for Putin and the self-proclaimed "republics." Among them: unrecognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the Hussite insurgency in Yemen, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua.
How does it work?
Surprise-surprise: the Russians are not happy
During the meeting of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, when the hypocritical "What bad Russia has done to Ukraine?" was voiced, Russian stocks began to fall sharply. During Putin's speech, the decline continued.
After the Kremlin recognized the "DPR" and "LPR," a small group of people in Donetsk set off fireworks in honor of the decision. However, universal joy is not yet visible. Russian entrepreneurs write on social media that they are simply losing money right now. It's difficult to estimate the number of people willing to fight for the "republics" recognized by the occupiers, as most Russian media are propagandistic and do not try to paint a real picture or objectively assess potential losses.
The fact remains that the Russian economy is suffering heavy losses, and even if Putin wants a full-scale war, Russia will be unlikely able to pay for it. Diplomatic talks with Russia have also lost their meaning. The world does not see the need to listen to the government, which says one thing and does another. In particular, Antony Blinken has already announced the cancellation of the meeting with Sergei Lavrov.
The Ukrainian army and Ukraine in general have great support from both foreign partners and Ukrainians themselves.
Does it really work?
The world needs to understand that this is an invasion
Residents of the occupied territories who were evacuated are left without normal living conditions in Russia. In the "DPR" and "LPR," there are men aged 18 to 55, who are not released and are forcibly mobilized. These are Ukrainians who are not receiving help now. Many of them are children.
Residents of the Donetsk and Luhansk territories controlled by Ukraine are living in tension. After all, Russia has already stated that it has recognized the self-proclaimed "republics" within the limits of regions as the "LDPR" defines itself (ie within the regions), and not the temporarily occupied lands.
Political scientist Maria Zolkina also says that the Ukrainian authorities should strengthen not only the army but also the civil defense.
"The open introduction of the Russian contingent and its presence in the occupied territories of Donbas, together with the current situation and yesterday's messages, says that the threat of military escalation in the new territories is only growing. Now Ukraine needs to strengthen civil security (not only Donbas). In recent days, the key targets of the shelling weren't military facilities as socially important infrastructure," the expert said.
Zolkina also stressed that it was important for the world, together with Ukraine, to perceive the official appearance of Russian troops in Donbas as a full-fledged invasion, and not to impose the promised sanctions in the event of an attack on other regions.
Meanwhile, the White House has already decided on its vision of Russia's decisions and has officially acknowledged that it is an invasion. And US President Joe Biden refused to meet with Putin if he didn't withdraw troops from Ukraine.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, says Ukraine's voluntary refusal to join NATO, as well as Kyiv's talks with the militants, will be able to resolve the conflict.
Even more useful solutions!
Financial and moral support of the Armed Forces
Ukrainians are actively donating as much as they can to funds that take care of the needs of the Ukrainian military. The biggest of them is Come Back Alive, which has now risen to 3rd place in the global top of the Patreon service. On February 22, the fund was in 10th place.
You can also join a fundraiser initiated by volunteers you trust.
And you can support the fighting spirit of Ukrainian society. As, for example, the American Embassy in Kyiv did, which decided to organize a history lesson for Vladimir Putin on its social media.
Read more about how to support the Ukrainian army right now.
And finally, a few rules:
- in no case film the movements of the Armed Forces;
- do not spread fake news and check information;
- read about the important rules to know in case of hostilities;
- support the Ukrainian army and believe in the Ukrainian future!
