Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the dispatch of troops to Donetsk and Luhansk, after recognizing the independence of these two regions of Ukraine that have been controlled by pro-Russian groups since 2014.
According to a decree published by the Kremlin on Monday afternoon, the president authorized the Ministry of Defense to mobilize forces to these areas to carry out “peacekeeping” functions.
The decree does not specify exactly what the scope of this authorization is, but experts in Ukraine and Russia agree that Putin will now be able to officially send Russian troops to these regions of eastern Ukraine.
After a long televised speech, Putin on Monday signed the decree recognizing Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states of Ukraine.
Russia extends its military stay in Belarus due to the tension in eastern Ukraine, as confirmed by the Belarusian Defense Minister, Victor Khrenin.
– The United States affirms that everything indicates that Russia is prepared to invade Ukraine, given the tension produced in the Donbas region and the decision of both the Russian Government and Belarus to prolong the military stay in the Belarusian country.
Ukraine demands support from the West in the face of the possibility of a Russian invasion of the country. The president, Volodimir Zelenski, has urged to abandon the policy of “appeasement” with Russia.