<br/>Russia announced today a decree recognising passports issued by rebel authorities in separatist regions of Ukraine, triggering a protest from Kiev which called it a provocation. <br/><br/>The decree, signed by President Vladimir Putin, was described by Moscow as temporary until a political solution is found to bring peace to the region. It listed the territories concerned as the self-declared Lugansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic.<br/><br/>Both Ukraine and the West, which has imposed sanctions on Russia as a result of the unrest, say the separatist regions receive humanitarian and military backing from Moscow, although Russia has not until now officially recognised them.<br/><br/>France and Germany helped broker the Minsk accords with Moscow and Kiev after a three-year conflict.<br/><br/>Authorities in pro-Russian rebel held areas last March began distributing passports very similar to Russian ones bearing a two-headed eagle on a red backdrop. <br/>'<br/>