Ukraine sees Russia's intention to recognize 'LPR/DPR' as step towards destruction of Minsk agreements

The issue of Russia recognizing occupation entities in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions is a step towards the destruction of the Minsk agreements, Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, has told Ukrinform.

"Even raising the question of Russia recognizing occupation entities in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions is a step towards the destruction of the Minsk documents. If Russia decides to de jure and de facto withdraw from the Minsk agreements, it will finally prove that it is the Russian side that is responsible for the lack of significant progress in the negotiation process on ending the war in Donbas," he said.

Podoliak stressed that Russia's withdrawal from the Minsk agreements and any political and legal steps in favor of occupation entities should get an immediate assessment and response from the democratic community.

"The Russian State Duma's disrespect for the German side as a participant in the Normandy format is also significant. This decision was voted on when Chancellor [Olaf] Scholz was in Moscow. We can only regret that Moscow has taken this escalating action, which only complicates the situation in Europe," Podoliak said.

The State Duma on Tuesday voted to send an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin asking him to recognize the so-called "LPR/DPR."

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