A statement from the Kremlin said Putin will sign a decree to make the Moscow-backed areas in Ukraine independent “people’s republics”.
The areas in Ukraine are controlled by Russian-backed separatists.
The move is likely to escalate the tensions between Russain and Ukraine and increase the prospect of an invasion from Russia.
🇷🇺 Russian state TV:
“President Putin has told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron that he intends to sign a decree recognising Moscow-backed Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics” as independent states.”
— James Waterhouse (@JamWaterhouse) February 21, 2022
France has called an emergency national security meeting to address the recent developments.
Russian state-owned news agency RIA said the decision has left Western leaders dismayed.
Putin is due to make a statement on RIA at any minute.