LAST UPDATE: 14.26
Members of the State Duma of Russia ratified the agreements with the “democracies” of Donetsk and Lugansk on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance during the plenary session.
Russia’s foreign ministry says Moscow has recognized the “democracies” of Donetsk and Luhansk, within the borders of which its leaders exercise their powers, according to Russia’s Ria Novosti news agency.
Moscow recognizes the “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” to the extent that “their leaders are now exercising their powers,” said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko, a special envoy of President Putin at the two-day summit. of the Russian Parliament to discuss and ratify the friendship and cooperation agreements of Russia with the two de facto secessionist provinces in Eastern Ukraine.
As the responsible Russian Deputy Minister explained, the agreements are valid for ten years and their automatic extension is provided for five-year periods by mutual consent.
Among other things, the agreements provide for “the adoption by the Russian Federation of effective measures for the support and operation of the financial and banking system of the Republics, starting from the fact that the currency used in transactions in their territory is the Russian ruble.” A. Rudenko told the Russian news agency RIA-Novosti.
Commenting on the withdrawal of the Ukrainian envoy to Moscow and the relevant statements of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr. Rudenko stated that Russia does not want the complete cessation of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He added that “the Russian Foreign Ministry is always in favor of a peaceful resolution of any conflict, including the conflict in SE Ukraine”, arguing that the recognition of the two “People’s Republics” by Russia “will contribute to this peaceful scenario, the “We hope,” said the special envoy of the president in his speech at the meeting of the Russian State Duma (Lower House).
Earlier, the “parliament” of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DNR) passed a law ratifying the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between Russia and the DNR.
During an extraordinary plenary session, all 87 “MEPs” present voted in favor of the decision.
At the same time, the “democracy” of Lugansk (LNR) passed a law ratifying the cooperation agreement with Russia
In particular, the Lugansk “parliament” unanimously adopted the law ratifying the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between Russia and the LNR.
The 46 “deputies” present were also in favor. The “parliament” has a total of 50 seats.
The borders of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” will be within the Donetsk region, said in the meantime the head of this entity, Dennis Pushilin.
“In the constitution of the Donetsk People’s Republic, in the constitution of the Luhansk People’s Republic, the borders are located within the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Time will tell for further steps,” he told Rossiya 1.
It is recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the Russian people on Monday after the extraordinary meeting of the Security Council and announced the recognition of the “democracies” of Donetsk and Lugansk, while also ordering the sending of “peacekeeping forces”.
Kremlin hopes Donbass recognition will restore calm – Remains open to diplomacy
The Kremlin said Tuesday it hopes Russia ‘s recognition of the two breakaway Ukrainian regions as independent will help restore order and that Moscow remains open to diplomacy with the United States and other countries.
In a teleconference with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peshkov said he could not say whether Russian forces had already entered the two areas, according to Reuters.
He also said that the decision to send troops will depend on the development of the situation.
Source: Capital

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