Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to formally recognize the independence of two rebel-controlled regions in eastern Ukraine - Donetsk and Luhansk - breaching the 2015 protocol that ended the conflict in Donbas, IPN reports.
Putin made the announcement to recognize the separatist regions at the end of a long speech, broadcast live. ”I believe it is necessary to take a long overdue decision, to immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic,” he said.
President Putin said the Russian Federation will sign friendship and mutual assistance treaties with the two breakaway regions.
The announcement followed an extraordinary meeting of the Russian President’s Security Council, which unanimously supported the recognition of the Ukrainian separatist regions.
