Russia recognizes the governments of Donbass and Lougansk

On 14 February 2017, President Donald Trump recalled to the Mediterranean the Sixth Fleet which should have taken part in a celebration in Ukraine.

On 18 February 2017, President, Vladimir Putin, published a decree, recognizing “on humanitarian grounds” all administrative acts emanating from the People’s Republics of Donbass and Lougansk, governments that are not recognized [1].

By doing so, Russia is giving de facto recognition to passports issued by these two republics.