Borrell calls Russia’s recognition of ‘LPR’, ‘DPR’ blatant violation of international law

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell calls Russia's recognition of the two illegal formations in the territory of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions a blatant violation of international law, Ukraine's territorial integrity, and the Minsk agreements.

"The EU and its partners will react with unity, firmness and with determination in solidarity with Ukraine," Borrell posted on  Twitter.

On February 21, the president of the Russian Federation signed decrees to "recognize" two self-proclaimed entities in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.

Russia's State Duma previously voted to send an appeal to Putin with a request to recognize the so-called "LPR/ DPR". The Kremlin stated that the recognition of those illegal entities did not correlate with the Minsk agreements.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that Moscow would bear full responsibility for the destruction of the Minsk agreements and the process of peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine in case of recognition of these illegal entities.

On February 17, the escalation in eastern Ukraine began. On Friday, the leadership of the puppet "republics" of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions announced the beginning of the evacuation of women, children, and the elderly, primarily from localities on the contact line due to the alleged offensive by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On Saturday, general mobilization of men was declared in "LPR" and "DPR".

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny addressed the residents of the occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, emphasizing that Ukraine did not conduct any offensive operations in eastern Ukraine and urged not to believe the lies of the occupiers.