In a highly controversial move, President Vladimir Putin says any Ukrainians living in the Russia-controlled east can apply for citizenship. The move goes against plans to end the conflict of the war-torn area, which Moscow currently backs. Russia has controlled the eastern republics of Donetsk and Lugansk since its armed forces aided rebels looking to break away from the Ukraine in 2014.

But launching a stunning attack on Putin, the US said Russia was being “highly provocative”.

Morgan Ortagus, spokesperson for the US Department of State, said: “The US condemns today’s decision by President Putin to provide expedited Russian citizenship to Ukrainians living in Russia-controlled eastern Ukraine.

“Russia, through this highly provocative action, is intensifying its assault on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“President Putin’s decision creates a serious obstacle to the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the reintegration of the Donbas region.

“The Minsk agreements, signed by Russia, call for the full restoration of Ukrainian government control over eastern Ukraine.

“This comes just three days after the Ukrainian people overwhelmingly elected Volodymyr Zelenskyy the next president of the Ukraine.

“President-elect Zelenskyy has repeatedly expressed his readiness to engage seriously with Russia to implement the Minsk agreements, and to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has claimed some 13,000 lives.

“It is now up to Russia to decide whether it wants to continue to escalate tensions or meet its Minsk commitments.”

Putin changed the law to give Ukraine’s Russian-speaking citizens in the east the right to apply for passports under a quick three-month procedure.

Ukraine does not recognise dual citizenship, which could lead to numerous residents in the east opting to obtain the passports.

That would improve Moscow’s hold over the region.

The Minsk agreement was signed by Russia and the Ukraine to stop fighting in 2014.

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