Peskov said that the heads of the DPR and LPR Pushilin and Pasechnik turned to Putin for help

Dmitry Peskov. Photo: Komsomolskaya Pravda / Global Look Press

The heads of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR) Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to provide military assistance in repelling aggression from the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). This was announced by the press secretary of the Russian leader Dmitry Peskov, reports TASS.

According to Peskov, corresponding letters were addressed to the President. In them, the heads of the DPR and LPR, referring to articles 3 and 4 of the treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance between the Russian Federation and the republics, ask Vladimir Putin to help repel aggression from Ukraine.

In his address, Denis Pushilin said that military aggression from Ukraine is increasing. “The economy of the industrial Donbass is being destroyed. The enemy seeks to damage critical life support infrastructure,” he said. In turn, Leonid Pasechnik drew attention to the fact that by increasing its military presence, Ukraine receives comprehensive support from the United States and other Western states.

The Kiev regime, contrary to its international obligations, is focused on a forceful solution to the conflict

Leonid PasechnikHead of the Luhansk People's Republic

In addition, the evacuation of citizens of the DPR and LPR to Russia continues due to the aggravation of the situation and threats from Ukraine, Pushilin and Pasechnik recalled. They also thanked the Russian leader for recognizing the independence of the republics.

The reaction of Ukraine and the United States

Due to the appeal of the DPR and LPR to Russia for military assistance, Ukraine requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council. According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, the actions of Pushilin and Pasechnyk are a further escalation of the security situation.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that Washington considers Pushilin and Pasechnik's appeal an example of a “false flag operation.” According to her, the United States “from the very beginning” expected such operations and warned about them.

Against this background, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the citizens of Russia. He stressed that Ukraine does not need “neither cold, nor hot, nor hybrid” war. “But we will defend ourselves,” Zelensky said. According to him, Kiev is ready for dialogue with Moscow in any format and on any platform.

Recognition of the republics

On February 21, Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the DPR and LPR, as well as treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with the republics. According to the president, the decision was made due to the fact that Kiev “is trying to organize a blitzkrieg in the Donbas again, as it happened in 2014 and 2015.”

In Kiev, Moscow's actions were called a unilateral withdrawal from the Minsk agreements and a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the recognition of the republics creates legal grounds for further aggression against Ukraine by Moscow.

A number of Western countries also criticized Moscow for the decision and agreed to introduce new packages of sanctions against it. In particular, the European Union imposed sanctions against 351 State Duma deputies and another 27 individuals and legal entities for recognizing the independence of the DNR and LNR.