Australian government condemns Russia’s recognition of ‘LPR/DPR’

“The Australian Government condemns President Putin's declaration today that the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine are independent states,” the statement says.

The ministry stressed that this flagrantly undermines Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and has no validity under international law.

“We also condemn President Putin's announcement that Russia is deploying so-called ‘peacekeepers’ to eastern Ukraine. These personnel are not peacekeepers,” the ministry said.

It is noted that the Australian government is coordinating closely with the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and other governments around the world to ensure there are severe costs for Russia's aggression.

“Along with our partners, we are prepared to announce swift and severe sanctions that would target key Russian individuals and entities responsible for undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the ministry added.

As Ukrinform reported, Russian President Vladimir Putin in a televised address on February 21 recognized the independence Russia’s puppet formations “Luhansk People’s Republic” and “Donetsk People’s Republic,” signing relevant decrees.

Moreover, he accused Kyiv of escalating the situation in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (CADLR), saying that Russia had done “everything to preserve Ukraine's territorial integrity.” Putin ended his speech with a threat to Ukraine, which is allegedly behaving aggressively.

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