Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics.

Earlier, an extraordinary large meeting of the Security Council was held, after which the Russian leader addressed the citizens of the country and stated that he considers it important to immediately take an appropriate decision.

“Those who embarked on the path of bloodshed, violence, lawlessness did not recognize and do not recognize any other decision of Donbass, except for the military one. In this regard, I consider it necessary to make a long-overdue decision - to immediately recognize the independence of the DPR and LPR,” Putin said in a televised address.