Vladimir Putin orders troops to two breakaway “republics” in Ukraine

For the latest updates on the unfolding crisis read our coverage IN A MOVE that seemed to take Europe to the brink of war, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, officially recognised the breakaway “people‘s republics” of in eastern Ukraine, and said he would to them. In a long and threatening speech he questioned the legitimacy of and accused of using it as a base from which to threaten Russia. The speech, filled with anger and resentment, provided the ideological foundations for further military action, should Mr Putin decide on it.