Putin Authorizes Special Operation in Donbass

By Sputnik Published: Feb 24, 2022 11:38 AM

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization by video conference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia on Thursday. Putin was in self-isolation after people in his inner circle confirmed infections of COVID-19. Photo: VCG

Photo: VCG

Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk republics after a new spike in violence by Kiev forces.

Putin has directed Russian forces to conduct a special operation in the Donbass region, according to February 24 remarks from the Russian president. Putin declared that he expects consolidated Parliamentary support for the operation in the Donbass region.

Putin remarked that the NATO-allied war machine supporting 'Neo-Nazis' in Ukraine is moving and closely approaching Russia's borders. He emphasized that Russia, for the past 30 years, has been attempting to negotiate NATO non-expansion to the east, despite being faced with deceit and blackmail.

Responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky statement that Kiev may reconsider the country's non-nuclear status under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, Putin declared that Russia would not let such a thing happen.