United Russia asks Putin to start supplying military aid to Donetsk and Luhansk ‘people’s republics’

Russia’s ruling party has initiated an appeal asking the country’s leadership to start supplying military assistance to the self-proclaimed “people’s republics” in eastern Ukraine, Interfax reported on Wednesday, January 26. 

According to Vladimir Vasilyev, the head of the United Russia faction in the State Duma, the party “came to the understanding that they cannot leave people to the mercy of the Kyiv regime.” 

“In this regard, we appeal to the leadership of our country to provide assistance to the Luhansk and Donetsk republics in the form of supplies of military goods needed to deter aggression, and also to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of citizens,” Vasiliyev said. 

The idea to start supplying arms to the Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics” (the DNR and LNR) was first expressed publicly by United Russia General Council Secretary Andrey Turchak. This took place earlier on Wednesday, just a few hours before Vasilyev’s announcement. Turchak justified the call for military assistance by alleging that NATO is “pumping” Ukraine with weapons and “pushing the Ukrainian junta towards a direct invasion of the Donbas.”