The recognition by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe of the fact of Russian control over the territories of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions occupied by Moscow is yet another proof that the world no longer wants to play with Russia in its favorite pastime - the "hybrid war". Nobody wants to hear more about the "rebel miners", "leaders of the people's republics", with whom they must negotiate in Kiev and other propaganda nonsense from Putin or Surkov.

Can ask: why right now? Indeed, the fact of Russia's occupation of Donbass was obvious to the international community from the very first day of the appearance of saboteurs on Ukrainian soil. And yet, we were stubbornly demanded of proof of this presence - and when evidence appeared, they were obstinately unwilling to notice.

And now the overwhelming majority of deputies in PACE - in the very organization where the pro-Russian lobby is so strongly and which the Kremlin has recently used to legalize its crimes in Syria, agree with the Ukrainian view of the situation. What influenced the change in approach?.

The answer is simple: the time and actions of Moscow. When Russia's war against Ukraine was just beginning, many in the West were inclined to perceive the crisis as a common responsibility of Moscow and Kiev. They believed that a tough reaction to what was going on would make it difficult to find a peaceful solution. It was thought that the Russian presence in the occupied region is a gesture of support for forces that are guided by Moscow. And that the Russian forces will leave Donbass when a compromise solution is found, which is so popular in the Kremlin.

And now everything is clear to everyone: occupation is occupation. There is nothing to do with either "supporting the forces" or trying to influence the political course of Ukraine.

It's like suspecting a robber who climbed into someone else's house and stole silver spoons, in a desire to put pressure on the bosses. Putin - exactly the same recidivist, who pushed the stolen goods in Russian pockets, and moreover proves that it is his family silver.

But for one type of robber everyone becomes clear always ate with wooden spoons - if not with their hands. What kind of silver is it?.

And one more important point in all this western "insight". With each new action of Russia it becomes clear that its aggression is directed not against Ukraine, but against the entire civilized world. And that the occupation of Donbass is just an element in this aggression. Therefore, recognition of the occupation is also a recognition of this obvious fact.

Original.