Recognition of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and the “Luhansk People’s Republic” undermines the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, undermines efforts to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine, violates the Minsk Agreements, to which Russia is a party; NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement on Monday that Donetsk and Luhansk are part of Ukraine.
He condemned Russia’s decision to recognize the independence of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and the “Luhansk People’s Republic”.
Stoltenberg said.
He noted that in 2015, the United Nations Security Council, of which Russia was a member, affirmed its full respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. announced by: Moscow continues to fuel the conflict in eastern Ukraine by providing financial and military support for secession. It is also trying to provide an excuse to attack Ukraine again.
The Secretary-General stressed that NATO supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Stoltenberg added that the allies are urging Russia to choose the path of diplomacy and immediately stop uniting in and around Ukraine, and withdraw its forces from Ukraine in accordance with its international obligations.
On Monday evening, Vladimir Putin signed a cooperation and friendship agreement in the Kremlin with Gennady Posilin, leader of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and Leonid Pasnik, leader of the “Luhansk People’s Republic”. The President asked both houses of Parliament to support his decision and ratify the two treaties. Russian lawmakers are due to vote on that on Tuesday.
Before announcing the recognition of Ukraine’s breakaway regions, Putin said in a video message that NATO had not responded to Russia’s main security needs, including not including Ukraine and installing offensive devices near the Russian border (MTI).
