Kremlin Says Separatists Ask Putin to Come to Aid Against Ukraine
- Appeals could pave the way for open Russian military moves
- Russia has authorized providing military help to separatists
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Separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for help fighting Ukrainian forces, the Kremlin said, a dramatic step that could open the way for Moscow to deploy troops there.
The two self-proclaimed republics sought “help in repelling the military aggression of the Kyiv regime,” according to texts published by state-run Tass. They cited articles of the treaties Putin signed with the separatist leaders on Monday that include taking “all available measures” to counter threats to peace.