Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: MikhailI Klimentev/SPUTNIK/AFP

In a surprise televised speech early Thursday, President Putin said this action is in accordance with Article 51, Part 7 of the United Nations Charter, sanctions from the Russian Federation Council and treaties of friendship and mutual assistance with the DPR and LPR ratified by the parliament.

A few hours earlier, the Ukrainian Parliament approved a declaration of a state of national emergency, which applies to the entire territory of Ukraine from Thursday and will last for 30 days, except for the Donetsk and Luhansk areas which have been under a state of emergency since 2014.

Leaders of G7 developed countries will hold an emergency online meeting later on Thursday to discuss the Ukraine issue.

On Wednesday, at the UN General Assembly’s a plenary session involving 200 member states, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underlined the principle of equality in sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of UN members. Guterres also voiced UN support for the people of Ukraine.

The Donbass region, which includes the two provinces of Donetsk and Lugansk, is a hotbed of fighting that have killed more than 14,000 people since 2014, after locals’ demands for increased autonomy and the right to organize an armed protest movement failed.

President Putin on Monday signed a decree recognizing the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk, saying he would not tolerate "the threat from Ukraine" and would respond to those who interfere in Russia’ military operations in the region.