The State Duma ratified a treaty on friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance with the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic" at a meeting on Tuesday.

The Duma also voted for a proposed amendment that would require the treaty to take effect upon publication. "We corrected the MFA, wanting one thing: for the law to enter into force as soon as possible," explained State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin.

Because of the amendment, the vote formally took place in several stages. The decisions were taken unanimously.

Against the background of the threat of full-scale aggression by Russia, as well as the recognition of the LDPR, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine recalled the Charge d'Affaires of Ukraine in the Russian Federation for consultations. This is stated in a statement from the press service of the Foreign Ministry.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine informs that in connection with the adoption by the leadership of the Russian Federation of illegal decisions to recognize the "independence" of the quasi-entities created by it in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine - the so-called "Lugansk People's Republic" and "Donetsk People's Republic", the Charge d'Affaires of Ukraine in the Russian Federation Vasily Pokotilo was called to Ukraine for consultations," the statement said.