Russian President Vladimir Putin has informed German and French leaders Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron that he plans to sign a decree recognizing the independence of the DNR and LNR in the near future. Intefax reports with reference to the Kremlin.
Macron and Scholz «expressed disappointment with such a development. However, they indicated their readiness to continue contacts,» the Kremlin said in a statement.
Vladimir Putin is scheduled to address Russian citizens in the near future.
The Russian Security Council held a meeting on February 21. During the meeting, the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev proposed to recognize the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, saying that Ukraine «does not need» these territories. This proposal was supported by all participants of the meeting. Vladimir Putin signed the relevant decrees later.
The U.S. President Joe Biden signed a decree banning trade and investment with the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR). The relevant decree was published on the website of the White House.
