Putin Signs Decree Recognizing Donbas Republics

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to formally recognize the independence of the two breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, known as the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics.

The decree reads: “I deem it necessary to make a decision that should have been made a long time ago to immediately recognize the Donetsk (DPR) and Lugansk (LPR) People’s Republics.”

Earlier, the Kremlin said Putin informed the leaders of Germany and France of his plans. “The Russian president said that he plans to sign a corresponding decree in the near future,” the Kremlin said.

According to the Kremlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron “expressed disappointment” over the plan but also “expressed their readiness to continue contacts.”