Russia has decided to evacuate its diplomatic staff from Ukraine, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. The move is the latest step fueling tensions with the West amid fears of an invasion.
On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of Moscow-backed rebel regions in eastern Ukraine.
Donetsk and Luhansk, together known as Donbas, lie on Ukraine’s eastern border and broke away in 2014. Each region has its own self-proclaimed president but also receives Russian aid. Many of the people living there speak Russian and have Russian passports. Putin ordered troops into the two breakaway regions after announcing he would recognize their independence.