Russia will be able to build military bases in the Donbas region under treaties signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk (DPR and LPR), Reuters reported on Monday.
According to RT, the treaties are still in their draft stages. Russia’s State Duma released the documents, which show Moscow and the separatists will cooperate militarily.
The treaties will allow both parties to “build, use and improve military infrastructure, bases and other objects on their territory.” After Putin announced he was recognizing the DPR and LPR, he ordered the deployment of troops to the Donbas for a “peacekeeping” mission.
Part of Putin’s plan will also establish regular diplomatic relations with the two breakaway republics. The treaties will also allow free travel between Russia and the DPR and LPR.
Putin’s move means Russia has given up on the Minsk agreements, which were signed in 2014 and 2015 to establish the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine. Under the accords, Kyiv agreed to cede a certain level of autonomy to the Donbas separatists, but that never happened.
