“I believe that this was the only correct step in the critical situation that has arisen today,” Chepa said.
As the deputy noted, for several years Kiev deliberately did not recognize the Minsk agreements and did not make efforts to implement them.
“The only step that can protect the residents of the DPR and LPR is the recognition of these republics... If Kiev refuses to comply with the Minsk agreements, if every effort is made to do so, then there is no other action left but to recognize these republics,” the parliamentarian concluded .
Earlier, Vladimir Putin signed decrees on Russia's recognition of the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics.