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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday recognized the independence of the pro-Russian separatist regions of eastern Ukraine. This decision paves the way for these territories to appeal to Russia for help as sovereign states and therefore for Russian forces to enter these regions.

Belarus announced on Sunday that the joint military exercises with Russia conducted on its territory, which were to end on Sunday, would continue due to the escalation of tensions in neighboring Ukraine.

Russia announced on Friday that it would conduct, under the supervision of Vladimir Putin on Saturday, maneuvers of its strategic forces, including the firing of ballistic and cruise missiles, in the midst of a crisis with the West.

Russia has increased its presence on the border with Ukraine by at least 7,000 troops, some of whom arrived Wednesday, a senior White House official said, calling Moscow's announcement of a withdrawal of forces false.

Russian forces deployed for weeks near the Ukrainian border have begun returning to their garrisons, the Defense Ministry announced Tuesday, amid Western fears of an imminent military operation.