Putin Signs Decrees Recognizing Ukraine Separatist Regions

Russian President Vladimir Putin has recognized the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, and signed decrees of recognition with the self-proclaimed republics.

The decrees signed by Putin included an order to send what he called “peacekeeping forces” to the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Russia gave no details so far on how many troops might go in, or when, but Moscow has previously accused Ukraine of having a significant deployment of its own soldiers on the line of contact with the separatists.

Putin's announcement comes after a meeting of the presidential Security Council and paves the way for Russia to openly send troops and weapons to the long-running conflict pitting Ukrainian forces against Moscow-backed rebels.

Putin has also urged Russian lawmakers to sign treaties with Ukraine's rebel regions, enabling Moscow's military support for them.

European leaders had urged Putin to resist recognition, and the EU foreign policy chief threatened possible sanctions if he did.

Ukraine's president convened an emergency meeting of top security officials.

Bloomberg Quicktake brings you live global news and original shows spanning business, technology, politics and culture. Make sense of the stories changing your business and your world.

Connect with us on…

[maribethjones]

I have heard he already managed to disable them, now he's going in for the rest.

[SirGolfalot-]

Wow reminds me of Biden's 1st day in office

[raminsamii]

It's an impression of deja vu, from 20th century with Stalin and Hitler. This reminds me so much of the annexation of the Sudetenland...

[kennyw]

This would be like Donald Trump signing a declaration recognizing militia separatists in red states.

[Semper_Iratus]

I hope the Canadian people do to trudeau what the Libyan people did to gaddafi.

[makeamericanativeagain]

Russia should “liberate” Ukraine like USA “liberated” Iraq