Paris | Russia has begun moving troops into the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, after President Vladimir Putin backed the independence of its two breakaway provinces, described it as “Russian land” and sought to frame Ukraine as the aggressor.
Mr Putin ordered the Russian military to enter the Luhansk and Donetsk regions for “peacekeeping functions” on Monday night (Tuesday AEDT), after signing a decree recognising their independence.
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Hans van Leeuwen covers British and European politics, economics and business from London. He has worked as a reporter, editor and policy adviser in Sydney, Canberra, Hanoi and London. Connect with Hans on Twitter. Email Hans at hans.vanleeuwen@afr.com
