Russian lawmakers gave President Vladimir Putin permission to use military force outside the country on Tuesday – a move that could presage a broader attack on Ukraine after the U.S. said an “invasion” was already underway there.
Several European leaders said earlier in the day that Russian troops have moved into rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine after Putin recognized their independence.
But it was unclear how large the movements were, and Ukraine and its Western allies have long said Russian troops are fighting in the region.
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Moscow denies those allegations.
Members of the upper house, the Federation Council, voted unanimously to allow Putin to use military force outside Russia – effectively formalizing a Russian military deployment to the rebel regions, where an eight-year conflict has killed nearly 14,000 people.
Putin orders ‘peacekeeping operation’ in two breakaway regions of Ukraine he recognizes as independent
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