Because they have always been separate regions even within Ukraine. It's like if California separated and the United States imposed sanctions on them. The sanctions themselves don't change the fact it has always been a separate region and wouldn't in any way legitimize them leaving.
I expect the Russians have crossed the ts and dotted the is on international law.
They can't afford not to and it is their way.
The land is legally Russian and the west is bloviating when they say it isn't. Their actions speak louder than words.
Upvoted for the word "bloviating"🐸
Soon they will sanctions place where Hunter Biden keeps his money, due to it being in Russia :)
Because they have always been separate regions even within Ukraine. It's like if California separated and the United States imposed sanctions on them. The sanctions themselves don't change the fact it has always been a separate region and wouldn't in any way legitimize them leaving.