Russia's Vladimir Putin says he is recognising breakaway rebel regions in Ukraine's east as independent states.

The self-declared people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk are home to Russia-backed rebels who have been fighting Ukrainian forces since 2014.

Russia's move is likely to end peace talks in the region, which has been under a tenuous ceasefire for years.

Western powers also fear it could pave the way for Russian military forces to enter Ukraine's eastern regions.

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