The Russian president has instructed Russia’s armed forces to “carry out… peacekeeping functions” on the territory of the previously recognized self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics in eastern Ukraine, according to the text of the decrees published on Monday night.

The decrees say that the armed forces will perform these functions until the conclusion of agreements on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance between the Russian Federation and the DNR and LNR.

The leaders of the republics appealed to Putin to recognize the independence of the DNR and LNR and conclude treaties of friendship and defense cooperation with Russia.

Last week, State Duma deputies sent Putin a similar request for recognition. On Monday, Putin held a meeting of the Security Council, all participants of which were in favor of recognizing the DNR and LNR.