Publish Date: | Tue, 22 Feb 2022 07:34 AM (IST)
Russia-Ukraine crisis LIVE: Tensions have increased between Russia and Ukraine. Taking a big step on the Ukraine issue, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the rebel areas of eastern Ukraine – Donetsk and Luhansk – as an independent country late on Monday. Along with this, Russia’s security agreement was also announced with them. With this announcement, Putin asked the Ukrainian army to stop shelling on both areas. Said that under the security agreement, it is now the responsibility of Russia to protect them. Western countries including America, Britain, France have reacted strongly to this move of Russia. Said it was a violation of international law.
Read what Putin said in his address to the nation
Earlier in his address to the nation, Putin said that Russia has the right to its own security and we will handle this responsibility. Western countries have continuously tried to pressure and blackmail by expanding NATO. In recent times, Ukraine has been trying to develop nuclear weapons. Obviously this will increase the threat to Russia. Putin said, in 2000, spoke to the then US President Bill Clinton about the possibility of Russia joining NATO. But America, suffering from the mindset of Cold War, did not heed to that proposal. America was not ready to take a big and powerful country like Russia into NATO. America needs smaller and weaker countries. But now we need trust for our safety. We need a clear assurance that NATO will not expand.
Earlier on Monday, President Putin held a meeting with Russia’s National Security Council to consider recognizing two areas held by Ukrainian rebels as a separate country. Russia plans to make a security agreement with these areas by recognizing them as a separate country. The Donsk and Luhansk regions of Eastern Europe have been occupied by Russian-backed rebels for the past eight years. The Ukrainian government does not control these two areas, which are dominated by Russian-speaking people. The rebels occupying these two areas are currently fighting with the Ukrainian army. In the event of a war between Russia and Ukraine, these rebels can fight with the Russian army.
Ukrainian military vehicles trying to enter
Russia has said that Ukrainian military vehicles are trying to enter Russian territory. They have been stopped at many places. Ukraine has denied Russia’s allegation and called it false news. After this statement from Russia, Ukraine and Western countries have become alert. The US and Western countries have been raising fears in recent days that Russia may launch retaliatory military action on Ukraine by falsely attacking itself.
Posted By: Arvind Dubey