Vladimir Putin is set to decide today whether to recognise two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.
It comes after a request by the leaders of Luhansk and Donetsk – areas which broke away from Kyiv’s control in 2014.
There has been fighting there between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian pro-government forces.
And recognition by Mr Putin of Luhansk and Donetsk’s independence could provide a pretext for his troops to cross the border into those areas.
The Russian leader, who earlier held a meeting of his presidential security council, is due to make a TV address shortly amid fears of an invasion of Ukraine by his forces.
Shelling has intensified along the frontline between the rebels and Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine and the sound of multiple blasts were heard this afternoon in the centre of the city of Donetsk.
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Source: Sky News
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