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Ukrainian Diversity & Russian Recognition of Donbas Breakaway States
Understanding the recognition of the two breakaway states in the context of a heavily divided Ukraine and increasingly fractured attempts at de-escalation.
On February 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in a televised address that the country now recognizes the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and the Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR) as independent and sovereign nations. Before the announcement itself, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz were made aware of the move by Putin to sign a decree of recognition, with the two leaders expressing “their disappointment with this development”, according to Moscow.
Many have stated that the ongoing tensions concerning the Donbas region (which comprises of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts) have their roots in Euromaidan back in 2013 and 2014. It is a fact that Euromaidan was viewed similarly to other colour revolutions that had occurred around the world previously. This included placing great emphasis on Western-backed NGOs, economic liberalization, and a young population eager for political change.
Indeed, Euromaidan did start via the desire to further establish ties to the European Union (EU)…
