Thread by @SabFis3

Meanwhile in Moscow: Russian NSC is discussing situation in DLNR, Ukraine. Live translation via ⁦@ru_rbc⁩ This doesn’t bode well… reader.rbc.ru/share/8R8C9EsH…

Kozak explaining (at Putin‘s request) how Ukraine is not implementing but undermining Minsk Agreements.

Both agree that it is outrageous to think Russia interferes with UKraine's domestic affairs. Insist that Ukraine and Western partners chose to ignore all proposals made by DLNR. Ignore that Ukrainian steps should be agreed with DNLR.

Putin asks: do you think Ukraine will ever implement Minsk Agreements? Kozak: no, they won't.

Now Shoigu reports about security situation and clashes along line of contact and in DLNR. Territories without water and gas. Evacuations. Ukraine, he claims, concentrates heavy weaponry and troops in the vicinity of DLNR.

Says Ukraine wants to reclaim status of nuclear power - "extraordinary dangerous" for Russia. Claims UA disposes of equipment and experts that make restoration of nuclear status much more likely than in the case of Iran.

Putin concludes: we have to respond to the Duma appeal about recognition of DLNR. We see the threats from the West. We understand the situation.

Now Medvedev: Russia's national security at stake, we have no other choice, West is trying to redraw the world map. Minsk will not be implemented. Ukraine does not need the Donbas.

Neither do France or Germany need Minsk Agreements implemented. Remember Medvedev recognised Abkhazia and South Ossetia in August 2008. It is clear what will happen now, isn't it?

Medvedev: today's situation is more complicated, because the conflict is more serious. But it is also less complicated, because at the time we did not know what the reaction would be - but now we know.

One day everyone will be tired of the situation (including in the West), and will ask us to return to talks about security order etc. This is what happened then, and it will happen again.

Now he says it: If there are no signs of improvement, there is no other way than to recognise. We don't see such signs. Putin nods.

Putin: I am speaking to all of you now: you know, I did not discuss any of this with any of you before (this meeting). Now Volodin (Speaker of State Duma): our decision (to appeal to the President to recognise DLNR two weeks ago) was not spontaneous. Need to defend our citizens.

We ask you to consider our appeal and recognise DLNR. Now Matvienko, Speaker of the Fedear Council, speaks about seven years of humanitarian catastrophe, genocide (I am not surprised that the only woman in this group has to talk about humanitarian aspects).

Puppet regime in Kyiv, she says, fulfills Western instructions. This is why Minsk Agreements are not implemented. Russia did everything it could. "They" do not want it. And, of course, bloody coup d'état in Kyiv, Ukrainian nationalists and "Banderovtsy" 2014 etc. etc.

Matvienko: this is why Russia has a moral obligation! Old women in Donetsk are crying, we cannot stand at the sideline and watch this. We never violated our commitments vis-à-vis Ukraine. What has Russia ever done to Ukraine? (she asks, yes, seriously)

So it's time to recognise... Matvienko says.

Now Patrushev, Secretary of the NSC, who likes to be philosophical. US prefer to see us as their enemy. We negotiated with EU, OSCE, etc., but they all do what the US tell them. So no use to talk to anybody but the US. Our task is to defend territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The Ukrainian people do not want what is happening in Ukraine, this is the will of the US. So we have to talk to the US. If we recognise we defend and protect the people living in the territories. This is one of the local conflicts that the US instigated.

Patrushev: suggest to US to stop Ukraine's bloody policy in the next few days - if that happens we can talk. This is not likely, so the only choice is recognition.

Now Mishustin about economic consequences of sanctions, we have done everything to provide for economic stability and development. He wants to go back to his seat but Putin insists he says the magic words: yes, I support the recognition of DLNR! Interesting twist.

Now Naryshkin, director of the FSB. Same text more or less (it gets a bit boring, so I'll leave out some of the details. Even Putin looks bored right now).

Putin scolds Naryshkin, obviously he is not happy with his slightly lame presentation. Very embarassing for him. But in the end he says it (correctly): I support...

I leave out the next statement to say this: we don't know how far they are going to go. But we should not rule out larger-scale invasion today/tomorrow. This is very very dangerous.

Now Putin asks about other views. There are none. He asks Lavrov to the podium: This is the only conflict where one side refuses to talk to the other - and the West supports this! I hope by recognising we send a strong signal to the "Russian world".

Oh, and of course Lavrov... supports recognition.

Now Shoigu again (I am getting confused). Ukraine tries to solve conflict by force. Next step would be Western supplies of modern weapons to Ukraine - who already has more of them than some NATO members. So, YES, we have to recognise!

Now Solotov, chief of the national guard, well, you can already guess I suppose. Of course, recognition is obvious, and we have to go further!

Putin thanks everyone and promises that the decision will be taken today - end of meeting, end of transmission. So the big question that stays with us: how far will they go?