Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree recognizing the independence of eastern Ukraine’s separatist republics.
Highlights
- Russian President Vladimir Putin signs decree recognizing independence of eastern Ukraine’s separatist republics.
- Putin calls for Russia’s upper house of parliament to “support this decision” State television shows Putin signing mutual aid agreements with rebel leaders in Donetsk and Luhansk.
- The move comes despite warnings from the West that it could trigger sweeping sanctions on Russia and the West.
- Putin asks Russia’s Federation Council to support the decision.
- He then signs a decree recognizing the independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansansans, a separatist republic in eastern Ukraine, in an emotional address on state-run television Monday morning.