A pair of eastern Ukrainian regions now recognized by Moscow as independent have sealed a deal for closer cooperation with Russia. The parliaments of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions approved a treaty on “friendship and assistance” in separate sessions. Television pictures showed the separatist representatives receiving a standing ovation after the decision. Russian President Vladimir Putin had concluded the agreements with representatives of the pro-Russian separatist regions in Moscow on Monday. Russia could use them, for example, to establish military bases in eastern Ukraine. However, Russi…