With the recognition of the sovereignty of the two republics of the Donbass, the Kremlin, in addition to demonstrating its commitment to defending Russian minorities and giving a concrete response to the State Duma, has achieved some objectives, including:
a) demonstration to the West that the Russian Federation is ready for anything in order to secure its borders;
b) demonstration that it is its intention to create, in particular, a safety belt to the West;
c) providing release of the diplomatic stalemate;
d) opening of a new negotiation season on the basis of a fait accompli.
The consequences of this initiative – which seems to have historical characteristics – will obviously be the sanctions. It is likely that a new phase of relations between the West and the Federation will open, centered, at least for the moment, on the “economic-financial war”. The sanctions strategy, specifically desired by the US and Great Britain, however, will have to deal with the national interests of the member states of the European Union which – despite the tensions of recent years – still maintain strong economic partnership ties with Moscow.
Recall that accroding to the statements of the Russian Foreign Ministry, “recognition of the LPR and DPR is a forced and the only possible solution under these conditions. It is intended to serve as a guarantee for the residents of the DPR and LPR of their right to a peaceful life, the protection of their legitimate rights and interests,” the ministry said in a statement.
Tiberio Graziani. Chairman. Vision & Global Trends. International Institute for Global Analyses