UNITED Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday voiced great concern over Russia’s decision to recognise Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine as “independent”, saying Moscow’s decision is a “violation” of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The move was strongly condemned by the US, which said that the decision represents a “complete rejection” of Russia’s commitments under the Minsk agreements, directly contradicts Russia’s claimed commitment to diplomacy, and is a clear attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 

UN Secretary-General Guterres is greatly concerned by the decision by the Russian Federation related to the status of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, a statement issued by the spokesperson of the UN chief said. “He calls for the peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, in accordance with the Minsk agreements, as endorsed by the Security Council in resolution 2202 (2015),” the statement said. Guterres “considers the decision of the Russian Federation to be a violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,” it said.