DONETSK (Reuters). Andrey Turchak is a top member of Russia’s ruling party. He stated that Russia would not enter the two regions of Ukraine recognized by Moscow to be independent countries if asked by separatist leaders.

Turchak stated that any such deployment would have a “peacekeeping nature.”

Turchak and Denis Pushilin were Russian-backed leaders in one region that broke away. The statements came despite claims from the West that Moscow was there with a secret military presence for many years.

A Reuters witness witnessed columns of military vehicles, including tanks, on the outskirts Donetsk on Tuesday morning after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized them as independent countries.

Reporter Reuters saw five tanks and two additional tanks at the end of the column. No insignia were visible.

Pushilin stated to reporters that the separatist forces of Donbass are not trying to expand and would rather resolve border delimitation disputes with Ukraine peacefully.