Ukraine War Necessary If Russia Recognizes Breakaway Regions: Former Donetsk Separatist Leader Turned Russian Lawmaker

Self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the pro-Russian separatist "Donetsk People's Republic" Alexander Borodai gives a press conference in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, on July 20, 2014. DOMINIQUE FAGET/AFP via Getty Images

MOSCOW—Russian-backed separatists in east Ukraine would expect Russia’s army to fight with them against Ukrainian government forces if Moscow backs a parliamentary proposal from Russian Communist Party lawmakers to recognize their independence, a lawmaker said on Thursday.

Alexander Borodai made the comment after 11 lawmakers proposed that parliament ask President Vladimir Putin to recognize the independence of the breakaway Donetsk and Luhansk regions.