Bashar al Aassad’s Syria has decided to recognize the “independence and sovereignty” of the eastern Ukrainian regions of Lugansk and Donetsk and to establish relations with the Separate “republics” diplomatic relations.
The announcement from the Syrian foreign ministry comes just days after President Bashar Assad met with a joint delegation from both regions in Damascus. Syria is a strong ally of Russia, which joined the Syrian conflict in September 2015 by helping to overturn the balance of power in favor of Assad’s forces.
Putin offers Russian passports in occupied Ukrainian cities
by Daniele Raineri
Earlier this month, Russia said it had taken control of 97% of one of the two provinces, Lugansk, which make up Ukraine’s Donbass, bringing the Kremlin closer to its goal of completely conquering the rich country’s eastern industrial heartland. of coal mines and factories.
“Freeing the Donbass” is Moscow’s primary goal. But what can happen next?
by Enrico Franceschini
“The Syrian Arab Republic has decided to recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Lugansk People’s Republic and the Donetsk People’s Republic”, reads the declaration of the government of Damascus.
The challenge of toponymy: in Moscow a square for separatists near the US embassy
by our correspondent Rosalba Castelletti
After abandoning its failed attempt to storm the Ukrainian capital of Kiev two months ago, Russia has declared that the conquest of the whole of Donbas is its main goal. Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian government forces in Donbas since 2014, and the region has suffered the brunt of the Russian assault in recent weeks.