Putin instructed the Russian Foreign Ministry to negotiate the establishment of diplomatic relations with the DNR and LNR

The relevant decrees are published on the official Internet portal of legal information.

“The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to hold talks with the Donetsk side on the establishment of diplomatic relations and formalize the agreement reached with the relevant documents,” the text of the decree says.

According to another document, the same negotiations should be held by the Foreign Ministry with Lugansk.

On February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees on Russia's recognition of the independence of the LNR and the DNR.

During the address, the President stressed that the situation in Donbass has become critical against the backdrop of Kiev's actions.