Putin recognizes the republics of Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday evening announced his recognition of the self-proclaimed People's Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine as independent states.
Putin signed a decree in this regard, according to Russian state television.
At the same time, Putin concluded with representatives of the two republics an agreement of "friendship and support", a step that could allow the deployment of Russian forces in these two republics.
The Russian decision is expected to inflame the Ukrainian conflict, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned Moscow's move, describing it as a violation of international law and a "blatant violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Putin demanded the Ukrainian political leadership for an immediate cease-fire in eastern Ukraine and threatened to hold Kiev fully responsible.
Putin had earlier heard the Russian National Security Council, in which the majority of its members expressed their support for recognizing the two republics.
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