Putin Claims Ukraine Is Part of Russia

“President Vladimir Putin delivered an emotional and aggrieved address laying claim to all of Ukraine as a country ‘created by Russia,’ recognizing the independence of two Russian-backed territories in eastern Ukraine and threatening the government of Ukraine that the bloodshed could continue,” the New York Times reports.

“Mr. Putin’s speech laid out such a broad case against Ukraine — describing its pro-Western government as a dire threat to Russia and to Russians — that he appeared to be laying the groundwork to take action beyond simply recognizing two small breakaway republics.”