Support The Moscow Times!

Russian MPs Greenlight Putin’s Recognition of Rebel Ukrainian Regions

duma.gov.ru

Russian lawmakers on Tuesday ratified President Vladimir Putin’s decree recognizing the independence of Ukraine’s separatist republics that Kyiv and Western governments denounced as illegal.

A live video feed of the lower-house State Duma session showed a unanimous vote in favor of the agreements, followed by a standing ovation at the packed legislature.

Russia’s upper-house Federation Council followed the Duma in unanimously ratifying Putin’s decrees recognizing the pro-Moscow regions in two separate votes Tuesday afternoon.

Donetsk and Luhansk currently occupy one-third of the territory they had controlled when they broke away from Ukraine in 2014. It remains unclear whether Russia will recognize the separatist republics according to their current borders or their full proclaimed territories.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Moscow recognizes both territories’ independence “within the borders under which the republics’ leadership exercises its powers.”

But Kremlin threw further confusion onto the issue, saying Russia recognizes Donetsk and Luhansk “within the boundaries in which they proclaimed themselves.” 

In Monday’s televised address announcing his recognition of the republics' independence, Putin demanded that Kyiv halt military operations against them or face more bloodshed. Ukraine has accused Russia and the breakaway republics of falsely blaming Kyiv of attacks.

Putin’s decrees published Monday order Russia’s Foreign Ministry to “establish diplomatic relations” with Donetsk and Luhansk as well as instruct the Russian Armed Forces to deploy “peacekeepers” to the regions.

Videos and eyewitness accounts said afterward that armored vehicles had crossed into the Moscow-backed breakaway territories. 

The Kremlin said it could not confirm those reports, saying that Putin and the heads of the two republics have the authority to deploy Russian troops “based on feasibility and the situation.”

Russian lawmakers also ratified Putin’s “friendship and cooperation” treaties with Donetsk and Luhansk, allowing the sides military, financial and other areas of cooperation.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more