MFA: Russia's recognition of ‘LPR/DPR’ will mean its conscious withdrawal from Minsk agreements

"Ukraine's stance remains unchanged: Russia's recognition of the so-called ‘LPR/ DPR’ will mean its conscious withdrawal from the Minsk agreements," Oleh Nikolenko, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, told Ukrinform in connection with the resolution passed by the Russian State Duma to address the president of the Russian Federation with a request to recognize the so-called "LPR/ DPR".

Nikolenko added that such a step would deal a serious blow to the political and diplomatic settlement, actively promoted by Ukraine and its partners.

The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson also stressed that the recognition of the so-called “LPR/DPR” would entail no legal consequences.

“Russia will not succeed in presenting the Russian occupation administration in the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions as ‘independent entities’, nor will it hide its involvement in the armed conflict in Donbas as a party. Instead, the Russian president's support for the Russian State Duma's resolution will have far-reaching devastating consequences for international law and order and the global security architecture. That is why Russia has a choice: either to follow the path of de-escalation and diplomatic dialogue, or to experience the decisive consolidated response of the international community,” Nikolenko warned.

The Foreign Ministry also called on Moscow to take a constructive approach in order to make progress within the existing negotiation formats.

"Otherwise, Russia will bear full responsibility for the destruction of the Minsk agreements and the process of peaceful settlement of the armed conflict," the spokesperson said.

On February 15, the State Duma of the Russian Federation voted for the resolution to request Russian president Vladimir Putin to recognize the so-called “LPR/ DPR”.

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