Much of the UN Security Council Condemns Russia's Decision on Eastern Ukraine, Russia says it’s Open to Dialogue

A majority of the UN's Security Council condemned Russia's decision to recognize two independent breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin's order to send Russian troops there at an extraordinary meeting last night, agencies reported. During the same meeting, the Russian representative in the Security Council assured that Moscow is open to diplomacy.

Putin Recognizes the Donetsk and Luhansk Republics as Independent States

"Ukraine's internationally recognized borders will remain unchanged, regardless of Russia's statements and actions," Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN Serhiy Kislytsia told the meeting. "Ukraine calls on Russia to annul its decision to recognize the independence of breakaway Ukrainian territories and return to the negotiating table, as well as to proceed with an immediate and verifiable withdrawal of the occupying forces," he added.

EU and NATO Condemn Putin's Decision to Recognize the Independence of Donetsk and Luhansk

At the beginning of the meeting, the United States, through the voice of its permanent representative to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, described as absurd Russia's order to deploy Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, which Moscow calls "peacekeeping forces", Reuters reported. The US spokeswoman added that Moscow's recognition of the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent was part of Moscow's attempt to create a pretext for further invasion of Ukraine. Thomas Greenfield added that the consequences of Russia's actions would be dire in Ukraine, Europe and around the world, and that if Russia invaded Ukraine, the humanitarian consequences would be significant.

Putin is Sending...