MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered Russia’s military to act as peacekeepers in two breakaway regions of Ukraine, simply hours after he recognised them as impartial.
Putin’s recognition of the separatist republics as impartial successfully buries a fragile 2015 peace plan for the battle, and opens the door for direct Russian military involvement.
In two official decrees, Putin instructed the defence ministry to assume “the perform of peacekeeping” in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.
Moscow offered no particulars or date for any deployment, with the order solely saying that it “comes into drive from the day it was signed”.
Russia has moved tens of hundreds of troopers to regions close to Ukraine’s borders, with the West saying Moscow plans to use them for an assault at any second.
In the identical doc, Putin additionally ordered his international ministry to “set up diplomatic relations” with the “republics”.
The settlement, revealed by Russia’s decrease home of parliament, “creates a authorized foundation for the presence on the territory (of the 2 regions) of Russian military formations, whose presence is critical to preserve peace in the area and guarantee dependable safety”.
Both sides agreed to share military bases and collectively shield their borders, it stated.
Earlier on Monday, the Russian chief demanded that Kyiv halt all its military operations towards Moscow-backed rebels in japanese Ukraine, or face extra bloodshed.
Putin recognised the Donetsk and Lugansk separatist republics on Monday, regardless of repeated Western warnings that this could outcome in sanctions. – AFP
