DONETSK. Feb 15 (Interfax) - The Russian State Duma's decision to ask Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) as independent states is a long-awaited step for DPR and Russian citizens, DPR Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Antonov said.
"It is a long-awaited decision for the citizens of DPR and citizens of Great Russia," Antonov said on Tuesday.
A majority of State Duma members earlier voted in support of submitting a petition on the recognition of the DPR and LPR as independent states to the Russian president.
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