<p>Russian parliament's upper house on Tuesday voted to allow President Vladimir Putin to use the Russian army outside the country to support separatists in Ukraine.</p>.<p>A total of 153 Russian senators backed the decision, with no one voting against or abstaining.</p>.<p>Putin earlier in the day asked the Federation Council to approve the army's use outside the country to back separatists who have been fighting the Ukrainian army since 2014.</p>.<p>"Negotiations have stalled. The Ukrainian leadership has taken the path of violence and bloodshed," Deputy Defence Minister Nikolay Pankov said during a session of the Federation Council called at Putin's request.</p>.<p>"They have not left us a choice," Pankov said, addressing the chamber.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/air-india-plane-from-ukraine-to-land-at-delhi-airport-on-feb-22-night-1084067.html" target="_blank">Air India plane from Ukraine to land at Delhi airport on Feb 22 night</a></strong></p>.<p>He alleged that there were "heavy armoured vehicles" on the border of east Ukraine's separatist-controlled regions known as the DNR and LNR.</p>.<p>Pankov also said that NATO was "actively pumping Ukraine with modern weapons."</p>.<p>"Russia will act for the protection of the sovereignty of other states and in order to prevent acts of aggression," Pankov said.</p>.<p>He cited Putin's request: "In accordance with the treaty of friendship and cooperation with the DNR and LNR, I am submitting a proposal for the adoption by the Federation Council for the consent to use the armed forces of the Russian Federation outside Russia."</p>.<p>On Monday, Putin recognised the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions and signed agreements with them, opening the door for the presence of the Russian army in Ukraine's rebel territories.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>
<p>Russian parliament's upper house on Tuesday voted to allow President Vladimir Putin to use the Russian army outside the country to support separatists in Ukraine.</p>.<p>A total of 153 Russian senators backed the decision, with no one voting against or abstaining.</p>.<p>Putin earlier in the day asked the Federation Council to approve the army's use outside the country to back separatists who have been fighting the Ukrainian army since 2014.</p>.<p>"Negotiations have stalled. The Ukrainian leadership has taken the path of violence and bloodshed," Deputy Defence Minister Nikolay Pankov said during a session of the Federation Council called at Putin's request.</p>.<p>"They have not left us a choice," Pankov said, addressing the chamber.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/air-india-plane-from-ukraine-to-land-at-delhi-airport-on-feb-22-night-1084067.html" target="_blank">Air India plane from Ukraine to land at Delhi airport on Feb 22 night</a></strong></p>.<p>He alleged that there were "heavy armoured vehicles" on the border of east Ukraine's separatist-controlled regions known as the DNR and LNR.</p>.<p>Pankov also said that NATO was "actively pumping Ukraine with modern weapons."</p>.<p>"Russia will act for the protection of the sovereignty of other states and in order to prevent acts of aggression," Pankov said.</p>.<p>He cited Putin's request: "In accordance with the treaty of friendship and cooperation with the DNR and LNR, I am submitting a proposal for the adoption by the Federation Council for the consent to use the armed forces of the Russian Federation outside Russia."</p>.<p>On Monday, Putin recognised the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions and signed agreements with them, opening the door for the presence of the Russian army in Ukraine's rebel territories.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>