Putin: Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics will respond if Ukrainian Forces move back to the disengagement areas in Donbas
During a press conference at the BRICS Summit in Brazil, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that if Ukrainian Police and the National Guard enter the withdrawal areas, then militants of Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR) will respond to these actions.
Putin welcomed the withdrawal of troops in Zolote and Petrovske areas but stressed that there are "some ambiguities."
"We see the statements of Ukrainian officials that the Ukrainian police and the National Guard can return to the area, from where troops with heavy weapons were withdrawn. Then, the militants of DPR and LPR would do the same," said Putin.
He added: "Is it really necessary? I don't think so because the troops are already withdrawn from these territories."
Earlier DPR and LPR also declared that they would mirror the actions of the Ukrainian side if Ukrainian police enter the areas of withdrawal.