KIEV, Ukraine: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he does not anticipate a clash with Russia.

"We do not believe there will be a large-scale war against Ukraine, and we do not believe there will be a big escalation from the Russian Federation," Zelensky said on Tuesday, adding that Kiev is prepared to declare martial law if Ukraine is attacked. Earlier on Tuesday, Zelensky said he was considering a proposal from the Foreign Ministry to cut ties with Russia, according to reports.

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed two decrees declaring "the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR)" and "the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR)" to be autonomous and independent republics.

Putin also signed a contract of friendship, collaboration, and mutual support between Russia and the LPR and the DPR with the heads of the two "republics" at a ceremony in the Kremlin, according to a Kremlin statement.

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