Those actions are in line with the position adopted by the European Union (EU) and the West following Russia’s recognition of the independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic, and sending of troops later to the Donbas region to ensure the integrity of those border territories, according to the Kremlin.

Such a decision has caused reactions from the European Union (EU), which almost unanimously announced an escalation of sanctions against Moscow.

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