Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognise the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk republics practically brought the Minsk peace process to an end. The Minsk 1 and II accords, reached in 2014 and 2015 brought a tenuous ceasefire between the Russian-backed rebels in Ukraine’s Donbas
region.Recognised the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and paved the way to provide them with military support — a direct challenge to the West that will fuel fears that Russia could imminently invade Ukraine.