Here's the nut graph:
"The republics cannot exist on their own for a long time. There are three scenarios. Either they will have to be taken over by Russia, i.e. formally taken under protection. Or the Novorossia project will be implemented when a completely new, friendly, but independent state appears. There is a third option: Ukraine will win with U.S. support... If the Russian Federation, God forbid, closes the border, then the 'DPR' and 'LPR' ["Luhansk People's Republic"] will cease to exist in a few days," the Donbas news portal DonPress quoted Girkin as saying.