MOSCOW. Feb 21 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said he did not discuss the possible recognition of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR) with the Russian Security Council members in advance.
"I'd like to stress in particular that I didn't discuss anything with anyone of you. Didn't ask about your opinion," Putin said during an extraordinary Russian Security Council meeting on Monday.
"What is happening now is happening off the cuff, because I wished to learn your opinion without any preliminary preparation. I consider this extremely important," he said.