KYIV: Amid the escalating Russia-Ukraine tensions, Russia has taken some provocative measures by recognizing two separatist regions in the Donbas area of eastern Ukraine, as independent nations. The move comes in as a huge setback to the United States’ (US) efforts to prevent a Russian invasion in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced that Donetsk and Lugansk, the two self-declared republics in the Donbas region, will now on be recognized as independent nations. These are Russian-backed rebel territories that have been fighting against the Ukrainian forces since 2014. Putin signed friendship agreements with the separatist leaders in Ukraine’s Kremlin, on Tuesday. Western countries had repeatedly warned Russia against declaring the separatist regions as independent entities. However, Russia’s new move ignores all warnings.

Meanwhile, the US has imposed economic sanctions on Donetsk and Lugansk following Putin's independence recognition. The US is planning to impose new sanctions on Russia as well.