OSCE Chairman and Foreign Minister of Poland Zbigniew Rau, Secretary General of the organization Helga Schmid, Chairman of its OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Margareta Sederfelt and Secretary General of the Assembly Roberto Montella said that Russia's recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics violates the Minsk agreements. It is reported by RIA Novosti with reference to the statement of the OSCE leaders.

“This step is a violation of international law and fundamental principles of the OSCE and runs counter to the Minsk agreements. Like all OSCE participating States, Russia is committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states. We call on Russia to reverse this decision immediately,” the document says.

The organization noted that the Kremlin's decision will increase tension in eastern Ukraine.

Earlier, similar statements were made in the German Foreign Ministry, the European Council and the European Commission.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognizing the DPR and LPR on February 21. The heads of the republics Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik addressed the corresponding request.

bbabo.Net