This article is mostly a lie. Crimea historically belonged to Russia just like current "Separatist" region. It was given to Ukrainian USSR only during the USSR times for the ease of administration. People living in these both places are over 99% Russians. Crimea was specifically a huge USSR military compound (surprise of why USA is crying about it a lot!). While leaving Crimea to Western NATO and USA was absolutely NOT an option, it was reclaimed. Meanwhile people of Donbass and Luhansk had their own referendum to rejoin Russia and passed with over 97% of votes. Putin did NOT reclaim them even after this vote just to avoid further international scandal. Now, for over a decade Ukraine has been genociding Russians (that is all of the population of the area) living in this region to the point of mass murders. Today when Putin announced that he is recognizing area as independent, there were fireworks, music, hugs, and dances in the street of the area. It is long overdue for the local people. Most of them felt abandoned for so long when Putin did not recognize them over a decade ago.