A political analyst claims that Putin's actions are aimed at making Ukraine a failed state.

• On Monday, President Putin ordered troops into the separatist-held areas of Donetsk and Luhansk to carry out "peacekeeping" duties. This move came after he officially recognized these territories as independent states.
• According to Adriano Bosoni, an analyst at Stratfor-RANE, Russia aims to make Ukraine a weak and unstable country that cannot hope to join the European Union or NATO.

A senior analyst at a political consultancy firm stated that Russia's decision to deploy troops in eastern Ukraine is aimed at splitting the country and conveying a powerful message that Moscow is prepared to intensify the conflict.

On Monday, President Putin ordered troops into the rebel-held areas of Donetsk and Luhansk to carry out "peacekeeping" duties in both regions.

He did so after recognizing the two Russia-backed separatist territories as independent states.

According to Adriano Bosoni, an analyst at Stratfor-RANE, Russia aims to make Ukraine a weak and unstable country that cannot hope to join the European Union or NATO.

He stated that Russia is signaling their readiness to intensify the conflict in order to obtain their objectives.

World reacts to Russia’s moves

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador, criticized Russia's recognition of separatist territories and warned of severe consequences that would impact not only Ukraine and Europe, but also the entire world.

If Russia invades Ukraine further, the humanitarian toll will increase significantly, according to the UN.

She stated that President Putin is challenging our international system by testing our resolve and pushing us to our limits. His goal is to show that through force, he can undermine the UN. We must unite in responding to this crisis.

Putin's recognition of breakaway regions could lead to a Russian invasion, as warned by U.S. and European allies.

The White House and U.S. President Joe Biden swiftly responded to the Kremlin's latest move by ordering sanctions against the separatist regions of Ukraine.

Europe is ‘internally divided’

Moscow's actions were condemned by European leaders as a "blatant violation of international law."

Bosoni stated, "The initial responses we observed were entirely logical: Implement sanctions on the secessionist regions, and take time to rectify our own affairs before imposing stricter sanctions."

The latest developments pose a significant challenge for the European Union, he stated.

The EU is divided on how to react to uncertain situations like the current one, despite making it clear that there will be consequences if Moscow invades Ukraine.

Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, refused to impose sanctions on Russia at Ukraine's president's request during the weekend, stating that the West's response to a potential invasion should not be predictable.

The Europeans will make an effort to maintain the negotiation channels, especially the French and Germans, who will attempt to persuade Russia and Ukraine to return to the negotiation table during the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

He stated that the "Russians are aware of this" and are intensifying the crisis to obtain "future concessions.