Why Recognition of Donbas Matters for Russia’s Relations With the West

Recognition of Donbas as Russian territory carries major importance for Russia's future relations with other states and for easing sanctions pressure. Nikolai Topornin, director of the Center for European Information, shared this view in an interview with Pravda.Ru. Earlier, Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, opposed any possible recognition of Donbas as part of Russia. He described Moscow's demand as unacceptable and stressed that Ukrainian territories, in his words, "will remain Ukrainian.” Why Legal Recognition Matters According to Topornin, recognition of Donbas as Russian territory plays a decisive role in shaping Russia's relations with other countries. Without official legal recognition, these territories will remain the subject of international disputes and a key reason for maintaining sanctions.