President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to "maintain the peace" in the two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine, hours after he recognized Donetsk and Luhansk as independent entities.
Citing Reuters, in two decrees, Putin on Monday (21/2) instructed the Russian Defense Ministry to take up the "peacekeeping function" in the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
The West has repeatedly warned Russia not to recognize the separatist territories in Donetsk and Luhansk, a move that has effectively buried the region's fragile peace process.
Putin's decree paved the way for Russia to openly send troops and weapons to areas of prolonged conflict between Ukrainian forces and Moscow-backed rebels.
Moreover, Russia has acquired the right to build military bases in two breakaway regions of Ukraine under a new agreement with separatist leaders, according to a copy of the agreement signed by Putin and published on Monday (21/2).
A witness told Reuters he saw rows of military vehicles including tanks early Tuesday on the outskirts of Donetsk, the capital of one of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.
Reuters reporters saw about five tanks in one column on the outskirts of Donetsk and two in another part of the city.
No badge was seen, but the appearance of the tanks came hours after Putin signed a friendship treaty with the two separatist regions and ordered Russian troops to maintain peace in eastern Ukraine.
Reuters reporters in Donetsk had never seen a tank on the streets in previous days.
According to Al Jazeera, Russia and the breakaway territories are also planning to sign separate agreements on military cooperation and border protection, according to a bill that the Duma, the Lower House of the Russian Parliament, will discuss on Tuesday (22/2).
