State Department chief Anthony Blinken stressed that Russia's recognition of the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk republics would undermine Ukraine's sovereignty, the US department said in a statement.

He pointed out that the Kremlin's recognition of the DPR and LPR would be "tantamount to a complete renunciation of the Russian government from its obligations under the Minsk agreements."

Blinken noted that the adoption of this resolution in relation to the DPR and LPR would be a "gross violation of international law" and "cast doubt" on Russia's stated commitment to continue diplomatic work in the name of a peaceful resolution of this crisis.

On February 14, deputies of the State Duma of Russia by a majority vote supported the draft resolution developed by the Communist Party of the Russian Federation on an appeal to President Vladimir Putin with a request to recognize the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics. 351 deputies voted for the draft resolution, 16 opposed and one abstained.

As State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin noted, Kiev does not comply with the Minsk agreements and compatriots living in Donbass need help and support.

bbabo.Net