The Duma's call to recognize the self-proclaimed LPR and DPR shows that MPs have a fine sense of public opinion, Vladimir Putin said at a news conference following Russian-German talks, RIA Novosti reported.

In his words, it is clear that in Russia the overwhelming majority of people sympathize and support the residents of Donbas and hope that the situation there will radically change for their benefit.

"We will, and I will proceed from the premise that we must do everything to solve the problems in Donbas, but do it in the way that Mr. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, first and foremost, based on the not fully realized opportunities for the implementation of the Minsk agreements," Putin added.

Speaking about the partial withdrawal of Russian troops from the military exercise areas, he said that the executive authorities, including the military and political leadership of the country, have nothing to comment on, the decision has already been made. Earlier, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said that after the end of the maneuvers, the troops will return to their permanent bases. On the previous day, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu reported to Putin that part of the exercises are approaching their completion, some will be completed in the near future.

The Duma on Tuesday voted for a draft resolution of the Communist Party of the Russia Federation proposing to address the Russian president on the need to recognize the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics. As the speaker of the lower house of parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, specified, the document would be sent to the head of state immediately.