Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Feb. 21 he would decide within hours on a request by two regions of eastern Ukraine held by Russian-backed separatists to be recognized as independent—a move that could give Moscow a reason to openly send in troops. Putin convened his Security Council to consider whether to approve requests by Russian-backed forces in Donetsk and Luhansk to recognize their sovereignty. Dmitry Medvedev, the council’s deputy chairman, told the meeting it was “obvious” that Ukraine did not need the two regions, and that a majority of Russians would support their independence. Russia already offers passports to residents of the two regions and Medvedev said there were now 800,000 Russian citizens there. At a televised meeting of his Security Council, which normally meets behind closed doors, Putin said he would make his decision before the day ended. Both separatist-controlled areas are on the border with Russia in …