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"The EU strongly condemns President Putin's decision to recognise the non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent entities and the subsequent decision to send Russian troops to these regions. This illegal act further undermines Ukraine's sovereignty and independence and is a serious violation of international law and international agreements, including the United Nations Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris and the Budapest Memorandum," it said.
"As a signatory to the Minsk agreements, Russia has a clear and direct responsibility to work towards finding a peaceful settlement of the conflict in accordance with these principles. By deciding to recognize the non-government-controlled region of eastern Ukraine as 'independent states', Russia is clearly violating the Minsk agreements, which provide for the full return of these regions to the control of the Ukrainian government," he added.
"Therefore, Russia is violating its commitment to work within the framework of the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group to find a peaceful settlement of this conflict, a commitment it has repeatedly reiterated, including very recently. It also violates UN Security Council Resolution 2202, which requires full implementation of the Minsk Agreements," he continued.
"We urge Russia, as a party to the conflict, to withdraw recognition, honour its commitments, respect international law and return to discussions in the framework of the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group.We call on other states not to follow Russia's illegal decision to recognize this declared independence," he added.
"The EU will immediately respond to these latest violations with additional restrictive measures, including all economic relations with non-governmental controlled areas, as well as designations against individuals and entities responsible for undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity, in coordination with our partners," he stressed.
"We warn Russia not to use the recent agreements with the self-proclaimed 'republics' as a pretext for taking further military measures against Ukraine. The EU stands ready to swiftly adopt broader political and economic sanctions," he underlined.
"The EU reiterates its unwavering support and commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. The EU reaffirms its commitment to strengthen its political and economic relations with Ukraine."
[/P]Source: KYPE
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