President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed citizens after Russia recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR), in which he declared Kiev’s right to individual and collective defense. The video message was posted on Telegram– channel of his office.
It is very important to see now who is our true friend and partner, and who will continue to scare the Russian Federation with words
Commenting on Moscow’s recognition of the independence of the Donbass republics, Zelensky stressed that the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine will remain the same, despite Russia’s actions, which mean Moscow’s unilateral withdrawal from the Minsk agreements.
“Violation of Sovereignty”
Speaking about Ukraine’s right to defense, the head of state said that the country’s borders are reliably protected, territorial defense has been formed, and international partners support Kiev.
Ukraine unambiguously qualifies Russia’s recent actions as a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state. All responsibility for the consequences in connection with the above decisions rests with the political leadership of Russia
Zelensky also added that he expects clear and effective steps of support from Ukraine’s partners. In his opinion, now the Ukrainians have no reason for a “sleepless night.”
We are on our own land, we are not afraid of anything or anyone. We don’t owe anything to anyone, we’ll give anything to anyone. Of this we are certain. Now is not February 2014, but February 2022 – a different country, a different army. One goal is peace in Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine!
Recognition of the DNR and LNR
On Monday, February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR), as well as treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with the republics.
With a request to recognize the independence of the republics, their heads Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik turned to the Russian leader. Pushilin, in turn, also asked the President to consider the possibility of concluding an agreement on friendship and cooperation, providing for cooperation in the field of defense.
Related materials:
According to Putin, the decision was made due to the fact that Kiev “is trying to organize a blitzkrieg in the Donbas again, as it already happened in 2014 and 15.” “The killing of civilians, the blockade, the abuse of people (…) do not stop. As we say, there is no end in sight to this,” the head of state said.
At the same time, he stressed that Russia “did everything to preserve the territorial integrity of Ukraine”, but these attempts were in vain, since “the essence of the regime itself” in Ukraine does not change.
In addition, the head of state instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish diplomatic relations with the DPR and LPR, and the Russian army to ensure that the Russian Armed Forces (AF) maintain peace in the Donbass republics.
Related materials:
Criticism from the West
After Putin’s statement, Western countries began to speak one after another about condemning Moscow’s actions, their unacceptability, accusing Russia of “violating the territorial integrity” of Ukraine and the Minsk agreements. The United States, Great Britain, France, Canada, Turkey, Switzerland, Georgia, Germany spoke in a similar vein.
Western states also called on Moscow to cancel the decision to recognize the republics of Donbass and threatened with new sanctions. So, the UK government intends to announce their introduction on Tuesday, February 22. US President Joe Biden has already signed a decree on new sanctions.
The following is prohibited: new investments from outside [физических и юридических] US persons <...> in the so-called <...> DPR and LPR or other similar regions of Ukraine, as may be determined by the Minister of Finance in agreement with the Secretary of State
In addition, Biden, in a new decree, banned the export, re-export, sale or supply from the United States or by US citizens of any goods, services or technologies to the DNR and LNR.
As for EU sanctions, according to an EU official, the organization does not intend to impose sanctions on Russia immediately, as it wants to see Moscow’s next steps. He added that any sanctions would be prepared at a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels.
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, called the reaction of Western countries to Russia’s recognition of the DPR and LPR predictable. She also stated that the Western states have been lying for the past two months.
Didn’t we know how they would react? Of course they did. And I think the last two months have been extremely revealing. Lie, lie and will lie
The future of the republics
Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Tiny Cox announced his intention to propose to the Assembly to consider the issue of Russia’s recognition of the independence of the Donbass republics as a matter of urgency, including at a meeting of the Standing Committee in Berlin on March 11. At the same time, he called on the Russian authorities to cancel the decision and refrain from further aggravation of the situation.
Related materials:
According to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, who supported Moscow’s call for the independence of the DPR and LPR, the population of the republics will vote for the entry of their regions into Russia if a corresponding referendum is held. He recalled that since 2014 they did not recognize those who came to power in Ukraine as a result of the coup, and continued to fight.
According to German political scientist Alexander Rahr, Moscow’s recognition of the Donbass republics will determine the attitude towards the Russian Federation in the world community in the next couple of years. “Russia has fulfilled the maximum program – it has shown its desire to fight for its own security in Europe,” he stressed. At the same time, Rahr expressed confidence that the Russian people would unequivocally support the decision to recognize the independence of the Donbass republics.
#Zelensky #declared #Ukraines #defense