MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday recognised the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine in an emotional address on state-run television, despite warnings from the West this could trigger sweeping sanctions.
“I believe it is necessary to take a long overdue decision, to immediately recognise the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People s Republic and the Lugansk People s Republic,” he said.
State broadcasts then showed Putin signing mutual aid and friendship agreements with rebel leaders in the Kremlin.
At the end of his lengthy speech, Putin asked Russia s upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, to “support this decision”.
