Russian President Putin has recognized the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine Donetsk and Luhansk.
Highlights
Russian President Putin has recognized the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine Donetsk and Luhansk.
Putin’s announcement paved the way for Russia to openly send troops and weapons to the long-running conflict pitting Ukrainian forces against Moscow-backed rebels.
Russian-backed rebels have been fighting Ukrainian troops in Donetsk and Luhansk since 2014, with regular violence despite a ceasefire agreement.
Putin signed decrees recognizing the Donetsk and Luhansk regions’ independence, eight years after fighting erupted between Russia-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces, and called on lawmakers to approve measures paving the way for military support.
Russia has acquired the proper to create military bases in Ukraine’s two breakaway regions under new agreements with their separatist leaders.