MOSCOW, June 14 Russia has wanted to reach an agreement for eight years and has not recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
«Russia has finally recognized the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, because we did not recognize them for eight years, we were always hoping to reach an agreement,» Putin said at a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry.