In a discussion on recent nuclear exercises with his security council on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of not intending to fulfill the Minsk peace agreements, according to Reuters. As a result, Putin said that Russia ought to consider recognizing the independence of the two breakaway regions in Eastern Ukraine. If Russia faces the threat of Ukraine joining NATO, Putin continued, the threat to our country will increase substantially.

Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the West isn't willing to discuss Russian security demands, whilst also accusing the West of "cherry-picking" from Russia's security proposals. However, Lavrov did say that diplomatic efforts with the US should continue and noted that there had been some progress in talks with the US.