Ukraine

kizzy821 said
I'm trying to figure out the significance of Putin "recognizing the independence" of those two regions they're talking about in the news.

Live CNN update -- he issued the order to move in.

https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-21-22/index.html
Imagine that Wisconsin and Minnesota had a reasonably-sized but minority population of ethnic Candians. Canada had been supplying separatists who wanted to secede and join Canada. Suddenly Canada puts 200,000 troops on the border and recognizes Wisconsin and Minnesota as independent countries.

kizzy821 said
All the stories read as if everyone already knows what that means. What does it mean... and why is it a further sign he's about to invade Ukraine?

See above.

kizzy821 said
They cite the headline, then move on to what the US is doing in response. But WHHHHY does that warrant a response? It's driving me a little batty not understanding it.

If we don't respond, he's going to continue to expand their reach in to additional democracies in an attempt to destabilize the West, making it harder to stop his mob-nation from bleeding dry the citizens of Russia and any occupied territories.

You might remember perhaps Europe in 1939 and 1940.