Ukraine crisis live: Putin orders Russian troops to separatist states for ‘peacekeeping operations’

Russian president has recognised Ukraine's Luhansk and Donetsk as independent states

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Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron agreed there is a need to continue dialogue on Ukraine, reports the Interfax news agency via Reuters.

In an earlier statement on the overnight call, the Kremlin said the presidents considered it expedient to intensify the search for solutions through diplomatic means through the foreign ministries and political advisers to the leaders of the countries participating in the Normandy format".