Wow. This extraordinary Russian Security Council meeting is absolutely bonkers and does give you the sense Putin’s lost his mind. Seems we’re close to Russia actually recognizing Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics” as independent and Moscow officially sending troops to help. 
Also, recognizing Donetsk and Luhansk as independent here and officially helping militarily will mean the end of the Minsk agreements. The situation on the ground from there can change rapidly and significantly.
Dmitry Medvedev speaking now, says Donetsk and Luhansk "people's republics" are "territories that Ukraine does not need" and that Zelensky doesn't want to reintegrate because he would like to be reelected and the voters of Donetsk and Luhansk would not vote for him.
Medvedev also reminds Putin of Georgia in 2008 and recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia when he was Russian president. See where this is going?
Medvedev says Russian people support recognition of DNR and LNR, including the military component. "These are not only Russian speakers, these are Russian citizens," he says.
Matvienko: Ukraine is just territory, to Russia it's our people. Ukrainians have become hostage to the West's anti-Russian project. Biden snapped his fingers and Shokin was fired. So if the US wanted to solve the question in Ukraine they could.
Russian FSB director Patrushev says Russia can only negotiate with the US about Ukraine. Everyone else will fall in line. He adds that US's ultimate goal is to destroy Russia.
PM Mishustin just got up and delivered brief remarks but like all the others said recognition of the DNR and LNR is needed if no progress.
Ridiculous remarks from Shoigu. He says the West is "pumping Ukraine full of weapons" and "everyday they get four or five flights with weapons."
"I have a hard time believing Javelins are a 'defensive weapon.'" He says this shows Ukraine & West want to solve the war with force.
"I have a hard time believing Javelins are a 'defensive weapon.'" He says this shows Ukraine & West want to solve the war with force.
Putin adjourns the meeting and thanks everyone for their thoughts. He says a decision on recognizing DNR and LNR will be taken today. But Putin doesn't say what it will be. ...
What made watching this absurdity unfold more frustrating was watching it with spotty reception while driving through eastern Ukraine and having it drop in and out. And then not getting an answer in the end, too
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