Verkhovna Rada calls on world to strengthen sanctions against Russia over recognition of so-called "L/DPR"

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine calls on the international community to impose additional sanctions on the Russian Federation and its leadership over the recognition of self-proclaimed entities in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.

As an Ukrinform correspondent reports, 336 MPs voted in favor of the resolution "On the statement of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in connection with the Russian Federation's recognition of the independence of self-proclaimed entities in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine" (No. 7088).

The statement says that Ukraine remains committed to the political and diplomatic path of resolving the international armed conflict.

Thus, the Verkhovna Rada emphasizes that the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol and certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, remain an integral part of the territory of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Parliament declares that there are no legal implications of the decision taken by the Russian Federation and calls to take all necessary measures immediately to overturn illegal decisions aimed at undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and eliminating the consequences of such actions by Russia.

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine calls on foreign states and international and regional organizations not to recognize the independence of illegal self-proclaimed entities in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and to refrain from any actions or steps that could be interpreted as their recognition.

The Verkhovna Rada underscores that the Russian Federation is an aggressor – a party to the conflict and all this time its troops have been and continue to be stationed in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Parliament condemns and accuses Russia of the sharp deterioration of the security situation, mass disinformation and propaganda aimed at creating a contrived pretext for the decision to recognize the illegal "L/DPR".

In addition, the Verkhovna Rada supports the official request of the President of Ukraine on the basis of Article 6 of the Budapest Memorandum to the UN Security Council member states demanding immediate consultations on urgent action to reduce tensions and practical steps to ensure Ukraine's security and supports the President's initiative convening an urgent extended meeting of the UN Security Council with Ukraine to provide real security guarantees and immediate action by the UN Security Council to effectively de-escalate and provide real assistance to Ukraine in restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders.

At the same time, the Parliament of Ukraine calls on governments and parliaments of foreign countries, international organizations and their parliamentary assemblies to strongly condemn Russia's decision as illegal, and emphasizes that this decision is part of Russia's long-term systemic efforts to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

The Verkhovna Rada calls on the international community to impose additional tough sectoral, financial and personal sanctions on the Russian Federation and its leadership in order to stop armed aggression against Ukraine and prevent further escalation of the security situation in Europe, including freezing Nord Stream 2 and disconnecting Russia from SWIFT interbank system, and banning high-tech exports to Russia, particularly those related to Russia's military-industrial complex and energy sector.

The Verkhovna Rada also calls on foreign governments and parliaments to help strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities and accelerate the provision of comprehensive assistance, including defense, aimed at strengthening Ukraine's ability to respond to the aggravation of the security situation by Russia and support Ukraine's economy and financial stability.

As reported, on February 21, Russian president Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the so-called "LPR/DPR". The agreements concluded between these quasi-republics and Russia provide, in particular, for military assistance.

Ukraine's international partners condemned the decision. In particular, U.S. President Joe Biden signed a decree freezing the property of certain persons and banning certain agreements. In addition, Germany halted the certification process of Nord Stream 2.

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