Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday recognized the Russian-occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine as independent states, signing documents declaring them no longer part of Ukraine.
Hours earlier, the separatist leaders of the regions made a video appeal for the independence declaration.
The Donetsk and Luhansk regions — collectively known as the Donbas — are in eastern Ukraine, near the border with Russia.
The region comprises both Kyiv-controlled parts as well as separatist-controlled areas.
Its main industries are coal mining and steel production.