Russian stamp on independence of rebel Ukrainian territories: Here's how the world reacted

As Russia recognised the independence of two breakaway territories in Ukraine, here's nations like the US and the UK and global bodies like the United Nations reacted.

Tension along the Russia-Ukraine border escalated soon after Russia signed a ‘peace decree’, recognising two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine — Donetsk and Luhansk — as independent entities during a ceremony in Moscow. The West feels that war is now imminent. However, France is making a last-ditch effort to patch up the situation and broker peace between the West and Russia.

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Here’s how the world reacted to the development:

Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that they " are not afraid" of Russia’s actions and added that he expects "clear support" from the West. Ukraine called for an urgent UNSC consultation as Russia recognised the breakaway regions. The Budapest Memorandum gives security assurances against threats or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he considered it necessary to take a long-overdue decision to immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic. He alleged that Ukraine plans to unleash a war against Russians in Donbass and is acting on orders from the West.

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"Many European allies of the United States already perfectly understood all the risks of such a prospect but were forced to come to terms with the will of their senior partner. The Americans simply used them to carry out a pronounced anti-Russian policy," Putin said.