Recognition of L/DPR's independence is a firm response to Minsk-2 disavowal

The issue of recognition of the republics of Donbass has been overdue for a long time.

It is worth recalling that they appealed to Russia with a similar request back in May 2014, when a referendum on self-determination was held in the DPR and LPR. Now, looking back at the flow of events in retrospect, it is clear that it would have been better to do it already then, in 2014.

However, eight years ago we still could not decide on this step.

The illusions about the West, about the possibility to convey to it an objective picture of what is happening, to demonstrate our goodwill and openness to dialogue have not yet been completely exhausted. Russia, as a big and generous country, wanted to resolve the conflict at the negotiating table.

At the cost of incredible diplomatic efforts, the Minsk Agreements were signed, and there was hope for a peaceful way out of the current situation.

Unfortunately, the West perceived our goodwill as a sign of weakness. Berlin and Paris "washed their hands" and, in fact, did nothing to encourage the Kiev authorities to implement the Minsk Agreements.

Today we see that Kiev deliberately and completely disrupted the implementation of the agreements reached in Minsk.

Now the escalation on the demarcation line has reached its apogee. Ukrainian troops are in full readiness for an offensive on Donbass. Ukrainian sabotage groups are already operating in Donetsk and Lugansk, they are trying to enter the territory of the Russian Federation.

In this situation, the recognition of the DPR and the LPR will make it possible to adequately respond to any attempts by the punishers to attack the Donbass.

At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that the Kiev authorities may even now unleash a war. Moreover, if they are pushed to this "from below" by the provocations of "ultra-right paramilitary formations”. Or "from above" - American elites dreaming of a big war in Ukraine, with tens and hundreds of thousands of victims. A war that should forever sever any ties between Russia and Western Europe.

However, I want to believe that it won't come to that. Russia has drawn a "red line", the passage of which is equivalent to suicide for the aggressors. It remains to be hoped that Moscow's recognition of the Donbass republics will be the last signal for them, which will sober them up and stop them.

Elena Panina, Director of the RUSSTRAT Institute