Putin: the decision to recognize the independence of the DNR and LNR will be made today

The issue of recognition of the self-proclaimed republics of the DPR and LPR was considered on Monday at a meeting of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he intends to listen to the opinion of the council members on the appeals of the heads of the DPR and LPR to recognize the independence of these territories. The Russian President noted the importance of this issue for ensuring security.

Deputy head of the presidential administration Dmitry Kozak said that Ukraine does not intend to adhere to the Minsk agreements. The Ukrainian authorities do not intend to negotiate with the DPR and LPR.

"Ukraine will never fulfill the Minsk agreements. No one negotiates directly with the LDNR. Ukrainian proposals are legal cretinism", - Kozak said.

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu expressed concern that Ukraine would continue to build up military equipment on the border.

"Ukraine is concentrating equipment on the borders of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions... Statements about the return of Ukraine's nuclear status are blackmail. The country has much more opportunities to create such weapons than Iran", - Shoigu said.

Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev noted that 800,000 Russians live in the Donbass today. According to him, Ukraine does not need this territory. As an example, he cited the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008, which made it possible to save a considerable number of human lives. According to him, the coming conflict is many times more serious than the 2008 conflict. He supported the recognition of republics.

"Ukraine does not need Donbass. The recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008 helped save many lives...", - Medvedev said.

"The only way out is to recognize the legal personality of these territories. According to the signs that we are now seeing, the situation will not improve", - Medvedev stressed.

His position was supported by State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin. He stated that the State Duma also supports this decision, it is not spontaneous.

Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council:

"Donbass for Ukraine is a territory, but for Russia it's people: Russians, Ukrainians - it doesn't matter!"

Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister:

"The authorities of the Russian Federation have long been preparing for a possible reaction to the recognition of the LNR and the DNR, these risks are well worked out".

There were some inconsistencies and embarrassments. Probably influenced by the special significance of the historical moment. The head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergey Naryshkin, said he supported the recognition of the LNR and the DNR. Excited, he even proposed to include these territories in Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin asked not to run ahead in this matter.

"Speak directly", - the Russian president asks. "I will support the proposal for recognition", - Sergey Naryshkin said. "Will support or are supporting?", - the President asked.

"I support the proposal to join the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics into the Russian Federation", - Naryshkin replied.

"We are not talking about this. We are not discussing this. We are talking about recognition of independence or not," Vladimir Putin corrected.

Alexander Bortnikov, director of the FSB:

"The hope of the citizens of the LNR and the DNR for life in the world will be realized by the recognition of their republics".

Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council, considers what is happening in the Donbass a conflict organized by the United States.

“I also want to emphasize that we are saying: we are negotiating with NATO, we are negotiating with the OSCE, we are negotiating with the European Union, with the leaders of European countries. Negotiations must be conducted with the United States. Everyone else will do what the United States says. And NATO, and the OSCE, and the European Union, and so on. Therefore, the main negotiator with whom this business must be conducted is the States," Nikolai Patrushev noted.

Transcript of the meeting.