Putin orders Russian troops into Ukraine separatist regions to 'maintain peace'

Simon Coveney said Russia's move was 'a blatant violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity'

Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on a computer screen while addressing the nation in the Kremlin in Moscow, as people celebrate in the center of Donetsk, the territory controlled by pro-Russian militants, eastern Ukraine, late Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. Picture: AP Photo/Alexei Alexandrov

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his defence ministry to despatch Russian peacekeepers to eastern Ukraine's two breakaway regions, according to a decree.

The Kremlin confirmed the order, though it is not immediately clear whether or when troops would enter the country.