Ukrainian authorities moved toward declaring a nationwide state of emergency after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized Donetsk and Lugansk, Bloomberg reports.
The measure, announced by Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov in Kyiv on Wednesday, would empower communities across the country of 41 million to impose restrictions. The curbs on people’s movement, mass gatherings and media require the approval of Ukraine’s parliament.
Ukraine’s national security and defense council announced a state of emergency in all regions excluding Lugansk and Donetsk, where Kyiv’s forces have been at war with the pro-Russian separatists since 2014.
The state of emergency would last an initial 30 days, with parliamentary approval coming as early as Wednesday, Danilov said.
The move, which is one step short of martial law, is subject to the Ukrainian parliament's approval.
