Putin declares Ukraine regions of Luhansk and Donetsk independent entities in signed decree

Vladimir Putin has signed a decree recognising eastern Ukraine's Luhansk and Donetsk regions as independent entities — an explosive move that threatens to push the simmering crisis closer to all-out war.

The Russian president made the gesture live on television after an an emotional address in which he referred to eastern Ukraine as "ancient Russian lands" and said it was "managed by foreign powers".

The move is likely to torpedo a last-minute bid for a summit to prevent Russia from invading Ukraine as it rips apart the existing Minsk peace treaty and gives Russia a pretext to send troops across the border.

Boris Johnson said the move "plainly in breach of international law" and "a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine," adding: "I think it's a very ill omen and a very dark sign."

EU president Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc would "react with unity, firmness and with determination in solidarity with Ukraine."

Earlier, during a dramatic and theatrical televised meeting of his Security Council, the all-powerful Russian president warned he would soon make a decision on independence for Luhansk and Donetsk, which have been at war with Kiev since 2014.

In extraordinary scenes, he paraded his senior advisors who took it in turns to speak on the issue and then declare they were in favour of independence.