Russian President orders peacekeeping mission in DPR, LPR

UN urges diplomatic solution to crisis

Opening the emergency meeting, the United Nations has expressed “great concern” about Russia’s decision to recognise the rebel areas in eastern Ukraine, and the implications of the latest developments for the stability of the region.

Security Council meeting gets underway

The emergency meeting of the Security Council has now begun, according to AlJazeera.

The council is chaired by Russia.

China calls for diplomatic efforts to ease tensions around Ukraine

China’s Ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun on Monday urged all parties involved in tensions in Ukraine to continue the dialogue and seek for a diplomatic solution.

"All parties concerned must exercise restraint and avoid any action that may fuel tensions. We welcome and encourage every effort to a diplomatic solution and call on all parties concerned to continue dialogue and consultation and seek reasonable solutions to address each other’s concerns on the basis of equality and mutual respect," Jun said at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

DPR, LPR borders to be protected jointly with Moscow: Russian State Duma

The protection of the people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk (DPR, LPR) state borders will be carried out jointly with Moscow, draft agreements published by Russian State Duma on Tuesday read, Sputnik reported.

The same formula was featured in the draft agreement between Russia and the DPR with both agreements concluded for a period of ten years.

According to agreements, the parties are obliged to respect the integrity and inviolability of each other's borders with Russia taking effective measures to maintain and operate the financial and banking system of the republics.

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy calls for clear and effective steps against Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of wrecking peace talks and ruled out making any territorial concessions.

UN Security Council to meet after Russia move

The United Nations Security Council is due to meet in just over an hour’s time over the Ukraine crisis, AlJazeera reported.

Ukraine called for the meeting and was backed by the United States, as well as other countries.

Russia holds the rotating presidency of the council this month.

Putin orders peacekeeping mission in LPR, DPR: Decree

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered to ensure peace in the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics (DPR and LPR) by means of Russia's Armed Forces, according to decrees published on the portal of legal information.

In addition, he instructed the Russian Foreign Ministry to hold talks with the DPR and LPR on the establishment of diplomatic relations, friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance. Decrees recognizing the LPR and DPR as sovereign and independent states were published early on Tuesday.

UK to announce ‘significant’ Russia sanctions on Tuesday

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce a “significant package of sanctions” in a few hours time.

A spokesperson told the Reuters news agency that the sanctions will be agreed to at a meeting of the United Kingdom government’s crisis response committee at 06:30 GMT and take immediate effect.

Biden holds secure call with Macron, Scholz after Putin's statement on Donbas: White House

After Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement about the recognition of the DPR and LPR, US President Joe Biden had a secure call with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a White House official told reporters, Sputnik reported.

"President Biden convened a secure call at 15:17 EST [20:27 GMT] with French President Macron and German Chancellor Scholz," the spokesperson said.

Details of the conversation between the leaders have not yet been disclosed.

Biden holds phone talks with Zelenskyy amid Russia's recognition of DPR, LPR: White House

On Monday, a new phone conversation between US and Ukrainian presidents, Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, lasted just over half an hour, a senior White House official told reporters.

"President Biden spoke with President Zelensky following President Putin's speech. The call lasted roughly 35 minutes, and we're expecting a longer, forthcoming readout," he said.

Joe Biden told his Ukrainian counterpart about Washington’s intentions to introduce sanctions against Moscow due to Russia’s recognition of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR), the White House press service reported.

According to it, "President Biden strongly condemned Russian President Putin’s decision to purportedly recognize the "independence" of the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine" and "reiterated that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, in lock-step with its Allies and partners, to further Russian aggression against Ukraine."

Biden to issue executive order prohibiting 'New Investment, Trade & Financing by US Persons' in DPR, LPR: White House

US President Joe Biden signed a decree on sanctions over Russia’s recognition of the sovereignty of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics (LPR and DPR).

"I immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic."The Russian leader asked the Federal Assembly to back this decision and then ratify the treaties on friendship and mutual aid with both republics"The document, among other things, establishes a ban for Americans to finance and invest in the DPR and LPR as well as on trade with the republics, TASS reported.

Biden’s executive order prohibits "new investment in the so-called DNR or LNR regions of Ukraine or such other regions of Ukraine as may be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State (collectively, the "Covered Regions"), by a United States person, wherever located."

Additionally, a ban is introduced on "the importation into the United States, directly or indirectly, of any goods, services, or technology from the Covered Regions," as well as on "the exportation, reexportation, sale, or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States, or by a United States person, wherever located, of any goods, services, or technology to the Covered Regions."

Additionally, the executive order vests the US administration with powers to impose sanctions on individuals operating in the DPR and LPR.

Putin: Russia recognises independence of two breakaway regions in Eastern Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees at the ceremony in the Kremlin on recognizing the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.

Speaking in a televised address to the citizens earlier, Putin explained, "I believe it is necessary to take this long-overdue decision. I immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic."

The Russian leader asked the Federal Assembly to back this decision and then ratify the treaties on friendship and mutual aid with both republics. While announcing this decision, the president voiced confidence about the support of Russian citizens and all patriotic forces in the country.

Later, Putin met with the DPR and LPR leaders, Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik, and signed with them the treaties on friendship, cooperation and mutual aid between Russia and both republics. The ceremony was held in the Kremlin’s St. Catherine Hall, which hosted the meeting of the Russian Security Council.

At this meeting, the Security Council’s members called for recognizing the independence of the DPR and LPR, TASS reported.

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