What Happened: Russia's parliament overwhelmingly voted in favor of a non-binding resolution to recognize the Donbas separatists along Ukraine's border as independent countries, TASS reported Feb. 16. The decision came as Russia's defense ministry announced it is withdrawing some of its troops from the border with Ukraine in a possible military de-escalation, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia would next focus on maintaining its negotiating position.

Why It Matters: If Moscow recognizes the sovereignty of the Donbas republics, the Minsk agreements would end and Russia could justify sending troops and weapons to the Donbas region to support the separatists' battle for their claimed lands, parts of which are controlled by the Ukrainian government. Russia could then use this escalation of the Donbas conflict to justify waging war on Ukraine. The Russian parliament's vote, therefore, maintains Russia's negotiating position in the Ukraine conflict because it preserves Moscow's ability to militarily pressure Ukraine over the long-term even if Russia temporarily withdraws troops from Ukraine's border.

Background: On Feb. 15, Putin said Moscow is ready for additional security talks with the United States and NATO, and he added that the Donbas conflict should primarily be resolved by enacting the Minsk agreements rather than recognizing the separatist Donbas republics as independent countries. The separatist regions claim sovereignty over the entire Donetsk and Luhansk regions.