Donetsk, Feb 15 - DAN. The Russian parliament’s appeal to President Vladimir Putin on the recognition of independence and sovereignty of the Donbass Republic is timely given the mounting threat from Ukraine, Donetsk People’s Republic Head Denis Pushilin said on Tuesday.

“We welcome the position of State Duma deputies on sending an appeal to Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin on the recognition of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics as self-sufficient, sovereign and independent states,” Pushilin wrote in his Telegram channel.

The DPR leader said that Russian parliamentarians had made the decision amid the massing of Ukrainian troops next to the contact line, which is “the final evidence that Kiev is not going to implement the Minsk Agreements and settle the conflict in a peaceful political way.” The head of state noted that in discussing the initiative, State Duma deputies showed much attention to and sympathy with Donbass problems.

“We thank the State Duma deputies for today’s voting results. At the same time, we’ll treat any decision of Russia’s top leadership with understanding and respect,” Pushilin said.

Earlier in the day, Russian lawmakers approved the resolution on appealing to Putin to recognize the independence of the Donbass Republics. *jk