Russia not just Europe's problem

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised the non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts as independent entities. This is a severe breach of international law. It is also a heavy blow for our diplomatic efforts to settle the conflict. For many years, France and Germany have tried to find a peaceful settlement, both in the context of the Normandy format and in the OSCE framework. Russia's unilateral action puts an end to these efforts.