The Federation Council unanimously ratified the treaties of friendship and cooperation with the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DNR and LNR). Earlier, the State Duma did the same, having also adopted a unanimous decision. Yesterday, February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized their independence.
The agreements on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with the DPR and LPR are provided for a period of 10 years with automatic renewal. Ratification laws come into force from the moment of official publication. The documents imply joint border protection with Russia and the possibility of using military infrastructure. The protection of the borders of the republics will be carried out by “joint efforts.” It is also understood that the DPR and LPR will allow Russian military formations to stay on their territories “to maintain peace in the region.” It is assumed that the parties to the agreement will support each other in the event of an attack on one of the parties.
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Last week, the situation around Donbass escalated. On February 18, the heads of the DPR and LPR, Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik, announced the evacuation of residents to Russia due to fears that Kiev would seize the Donbass by force. The Ukrainian authorities rejected such statements.
On February 21, the heads of the DNR and LNR turned to the President of Russia with a request to recognize the independence of the republics. On February 15, the State Duma made a similar appeal, supporting the proposal of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. On Monday, President Vladimir Putin approved the independence of the DNR and LNR.
Follow the development of the situation in the online broadcast “Kommersant”.