He expressed his sadness that negotiating with the West has taught him complete distrust of Washington, and Putin made it clear that Russia would be prepared for the war that Washington is intent to bring to Russia.

Putin said that for 8 years he had tried to bring peace to the Ukraine situation in a way that would keep the breakaway republics as part of Ukraine, but had been frustrated by Washington. Consequently, he has no alternative but to announce Russia's recognition of the two republics, something he says should have been done years ago.  He signed mutual aid treaties with both republics.

Andrei Martyanov provides in Russian and in English translation Moscow's demand to Ukraine: