Ukraine Must Recognize Results of Referendums in Four Regions That Chose to Join Russia, Putin Says

"It is important to proceed from the will of the people living in these territories and to recognize these territories, because this is what we call democracy, in this context, I say that Ukraine needs to recognize the results of the referendums held in the four well-known regions, and it must be recognized as a fait accompli, because failure to do so will mean that there is a chance of renewed armed conflict," the president told Sky News Arabia.

"Third parties are not interested in ending the conflict, but in using Ukraine for their own interests. Ukraine deserves a better fate and should not be an instrument in the hands of third parties acting against Russia. I hope that the Ukrainian leadership will pursue the national interests of the country, and not the interests of third parties behind the regime in Ukraine," the president noted.