Regarding The Recognition Of The Independence Of Donetsk And Lugansk, Russia Expects From The UN

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. (Wikimedia Commons/Kuhlmann MSC)

JAKARTA - Russia hopes that the UN Secretariat, before making any statement regarding Russia's decision to recognize the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR), will rely on the basic principles of the organization, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on the channel television Rosiya-24.

"It is my strong desire to see the leadership of the UN Secretariat, in making some statements, adhere to the basic principles of the organization based on decisions made by member states," Foreign Minister Lavrov said, quoted by TASS February 23.

"Our colleagues at the UN Secretariat seem to have to abide by the decisions taken by the organization, decisions that are very important for the implementation of the principles and objectives of the UN Charter and decisions made unanimously on the basis of consensus. In other words, by all countries- UN member states without exception," said Foreign Minister Lavrov.

As previously reported, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Russia's recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, calling on all parties to focus on efforts to stop hostilities and protect civilians, the spokesman said.

In a statement issued by Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric, the UN Secretary-General called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, in accordance with the Minsk Agreement, as endorsed by the Security Council in resolution 2202 of 2015.

"Russia's decision is a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, not in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter," Dujarric said of the UN Secretary General's assessment as quoted by UN News on February 22.

"The Secretary-General urges all relevant actors to focus their efforts on ensuring an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, preventing any actions and statements that could further escalate the dangerous situation in and around Ukraine, prioritizing diplomacy to resolve all issues peacefully," he explained.

Dujarric emphasized that, in line with relevant General Assembly resolutions, the United Nations remains fully supportive of Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, within internationally recognized boundaries.

For your information, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the recognition of the sovereignty of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics on January 21. Russia signed treaties on friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance with their leaders.

In addition, President Putin instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish diplomatic relations with the DPR and LPR, as well as the Ministry of Defense to ensure peace in their territories.