Explanation:

• Earlier, the rebel leaders of eastern Ukraine's separatist Donetsk and Lugansk territories had appealed to Mr. Putin to recognise them as independent. The conflict in the separatist regions began in 2014, when rebels loyal to Russia seized government buildings in Donetsk and Luhansk, beginning a long trench war with Ukrainian forces. More than 13,000 people have died in fighting in the region since.
• Russia's recognition of the two regions, the so-called Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People & rsquo;s Republic, could allow separatist leaders to request military help from Russia, further easing a path for a military offensive, Ukrainian officials say.

Hence option 3rd is correct.