Statement from Putin on Donetsk and Luhansk: I approve the decision to recognize

“I approve the decision to recognize the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republics,” Russian President Putin said in an address to the nation.

In addition, Putin said, “Ukraine’s plan to develop nuclear weapons is unacceptable. If Ukraine has nuclear weapons, it would be a threat to Russia. We will respond to this threat,” he said.

The Russian leader signed recognition and cooperation agreements with the leaders of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics later in front of the cameras again in the Kremlin.