Establish diplomatic relations and ensure the maintenance of peace: Putin signed decrees recognizing the DNR and LNR

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees on Russia's recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. 

The Russian leader also signed agreements with the heads of the DPR and LPR Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance between Russia and the republics.

The Russian leader announced the recognition of the independence of the DPR and LPR during an address to citizens.

“I consider it necessary to make a long overdue decision to immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic,” the head of state said.

He also asked the Federal Assembly to support this decision and ratify the treaty with both republics.

In addition, Putin instructed the Ministry of Defense to ensure, with the help of the Russian armed forces, peacekeeping functions in the LPR and DPR, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to negotiate with the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics on establishing diplomatic relations with them.

In an address to the citizens, the Russian leader noted that the situation in Donbass had again acquired a “critical, acute character”, and the so-called “civilized world” prefers not to notice the genocide taking place in the region.

He recalled that now almost not a single day goes by without shelling the settlements of Donbass.

“From those who seized and hold power in Kiev, we demand an immediate cessation of hostilities.

Otherwise, all responsibility for the possible continuation of the bloodshed will be entirely on the conscience of the regime ruling on the territory of Ukraine, ”Putin said.

He stressed that Russia "did everything to preserve the territorial integrity of Ukraine", including when it fought for the implementation of the Minsk agreements, but to no avail.

Member of the State Duma Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption Adalbi Shkhagoshev, in an interview with RT, noted that the decision to recognize the republics grew out of the realities that have been happening all these years.

He recalled that Russia showed "unprecedented patience" in the expectation that Kiev would solve the problem through the Minsk agreements.

In turn, Sergei Tsekov, member of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs from Crimea, expressed the opinion that “all sane people” support the decision to recognize the DPR and LPR.

“Taking into account the suffering and trials that befell the residents of Donbass after 2014, after the coup that took place in Ukraine,” the senator noted.

Recall that on Monday the heads of the republics Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik addressed Vladimir Putin with a request to recognize the independence of the DPR and LPR.

Pushilin noted that the Minsk agreements do not stop the Ukrainian side from violating the established truce.

“Receiving comprehensive support, including military support, from the United States and other Western partners, the Ukrainian regime, contrary to its international obligations and the will of the overwhelming majority of Ukrainians, decided to use force to resolve the conflict on our territory,” Pushilin said.

The head of the LPR also announced the preparation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for a full-scale offensive.

“Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, in order to prevent mass deaths of the civilian population of the republic, 300 thousand of whom are citizens of Russia, I ask you to recognize the sovereignty and independence of the Luhansk People’s Republic,” Pasechnik said.

Putin also held a meeting of the Russian Security Council, at which he discussed the situation around the republics.

He noted that these issues are “very closely related” to global security issues in the world in general and on the European continent in particular, and the use of Ukraine as an instrument of confrontation with Russia poses a great threat to Moscow.

Putin stressed that Russia's priority is not confrontation, but ensuring its own security. 

The Russian leader drew attention to the fact that in 2014, part of the citizens of Ukraine did not accept the coup.

"People have declared that they are forming two independent republics - the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic," the president added.

He also recalled that "for all these years, people who live in these territories have actually been mocked: constant shelling, blockade."

During the meeting, members of the Security Council, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko, Deputy Head of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, spoke in favor of recognizing the independence of the DPR and LPR.

State Duma deputy Oleg Morozov, in an interview with RT, recalled that Russia had been trying for a long time to convince its "partners" to follow the path of implementing the Minsk agreements.

According to him, the decision was dictated by the fact that there is no other way to ensure the safety of the residents of Donbass.

A similar opinion was expressed by Alexei Chepa, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, noting that 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, there are no other actions left,” the parliamentarian concluded.

The situation in Donbass has seriously deteriorated in recent days.

The authorities of the DPR and LPR regularly report shelling by the Ukrainian military.

In addition, it became known about the death of several civilians.

Against the background of the deteriorating situation, the leadership of the republics announced the evacuation of citizens to the Russian regions, and also signed decrees on general mobilization.