Russia President Putin: Should consider recognising independence of breakaway regions of Ukraine

In a discussion on recent nuclear exercises with his security council on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of not intending to fulfill the Minsk peace agreements, according to Rueters. As a result, Putin said that Russia ought to consider recognizing the independence of the two breakaway regions in Eastern Ukraine. If Russia faces the threat of Ukraine joining NATO, Putin continued, the threat to our country will increase substantially. Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the West isn't willing to discuss Russian security demands.