Putin signed decrees recognising LPR and DPR
The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, stated the need to recognise the DPR and LPR during a televised address to Russians and compatriots in Ukraine – as reported by RIA Novosti
He signed decrees recognising the Luhansk People’s Republic and the Donetsk People’s Republic as independent and sovereign states, as well as a co-operation agreement with the republics.
The Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Leonid Slutsky, quoted by TASS, said that the deputies are ready to start the process of ratifying the agreements with the DPR and LPR as quickly as possible.
RIA Novosti, citing a source, reports that the Federation Council will consider the issue of recognising the republics on February 22nd behind closed doors.
Earlier, the heads of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics addressed the Russian leader with this request. At a meeting yesterday, the Security Council members supported this initiative, noting that Ukraine left Russia no choice.
In recent days, the situation in Donbass has escalated, with Kiev ignoring the agreements, concentrating most of the army on the line of contact and regularly shelling, including with the use of prohibited equipment.
Due to the threat of Ukraine’s invasion in the self-proclaimed republics, women, children and the elderly began to be evacuated to Russian regions. General mobilisation was announced.
