Ukraine: Putin recognises Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states

Vladimir Putin will recognise the Russian-controlled territories in southeast Ukraine as independent states in a pivotal decision, scuttling an existing peace agreement and triggering condemnation and new sanctions from the west.

State television then broadcast a short video showing Putin signing a presidential order to recognise the two Russian-backed states. The separatist leaders were also present.

Minutes after Putin finished speaking, the White House announced the prohibition of US investment in or trade with in the breakaway republics and potential sanctions against anyone operating within the Moscow-backed territories.

The UK is expected to announce its own sanctions on Tuesday.

France and Germany are both signatories of the Minsk agreements, a peace deal that will probably be abandoned as a result of the Russian decision.

The announcement followed an extraordinary meeting of his security council broadcast on national television, where the Russian president said he would make a decision later on Monday after a choreographed back-and-forth with his top advisers designed to prepare public support for the decision.

The threat of official recognition for its two proxy states in Donetsk and Luhansk has also been a part of that pressure campaign. Russia has controlled and armed the two states since the outbreak of fighting in south-east Ukraine after a revolution in Kyiv in 2014 but wanted to keep them in Ukraine with the right to veto crucial decisions, such as membership of Nato.