Putin orders troops into Ukraine’s east

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday recognized the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. Shortly afterward, the Kremlin announced Putin was ordering forces into the two regions for “peacekeeping” purposes. The areas have seen a recent uptick in armed skirmishes. The European Union and the United States quickly announced plans to impose economic sanctions on Russia.

Is this the long-feared invasion? Images on social media showed military convoys in Ukraine’s separatist eastern regions, although it wasn’t immediately clear whether they belonged to Russia rather than Moscow-backed rebel forces. Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, said Russian forces had entered Ukraine’s, but added, “I wouldn’t say it is a fully fledged invasion.” Putin’s recognition of the separatist regions on Monday created a pretext for Russia to send military forces into the area. In a televised speech, the Russian president blamed NATO for heightening tensions and for threatening Russia. Leaders from the United States, Britain, and the European Union said Putin’s announcement violated international law and a 2015 treaty. An estimated 150,000 Russian troops are gathered near Russia’s shared border with Ukraine.

Dig deeper: Read Jill Nelson’s report about how the conflict affects missionaries in Ukraine.