Putin's recognition of 'LPR/DPR' would mean Russia's rejection of Minsk agreements - Blinken

The recognition by Russian President Vladimir Putin of illegal entities in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as "independent" would amount to Moscow's wholesale rejection of its commitments under the Minsk agreements, according to a statement made by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"The Russian Duma has stated that it plans to send to President Putin an appeal to recognize the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics as 'independent.' To be clear: Kremlin approval of this appeal would amount to the Russian government's wholesale rejection of its commitments under the Minsk agreements, which outline the process for the full political, social, and economic reintegration of those parts of Ukraine's Donbas region controlled by Russia-led forces and political proxies since 2014," he said.

According to Blinken, enactment of this resolution would further undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, constitute a gross violation of international law, call into further question Russia's stated commitment to continue to engage in diplomacy to achieve a peaceful resolution of this crisis.

"[This will] necessitate a swift and firm response from the United States in full coordination with our Allies and partners," he said.

Russia's State Duma on February 15 voted to send an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin asking him to recognize the so-called "DPR" and "LPR" as "independent."

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that if Russia recognizes the illegal entities, it will bear full responsibility for the destruction of the Minsk agreements and the process of peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine.

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