Poroshenko urged the EU to strengthen sanctions against Russia due to the recognition of documents of the DNI and LC
KIEV, February 21. /TASS/. The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko urged the EU to strengthen sanctions against Russia due to the recognition of documents proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk republics (DPR and LPR). This was reported by press Secretary of the President Svyatoslav Tsigalko.
“The President called for the tightening of sanctions against Russia for its recognition of fake documents, the fake republics”, — he wrote on his Twitter page.
This opinion was voiced by Poroshenko during the meeting with the EU Commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management Stylianides Christ. The Ukrainian leader also said that the recognition of the DNI and LC documents in Russia, contrary to the Minsk agreements.
“From the point of view of international law is already an element of recognition of these illegal groups and, de facto, refusal of the Minsk process, because these steps are incompatible with the implementation of the Minsk agreements, he said. — We believe that this is a very disturbing phenomenon, and it requires decisive action to strengthen sanctions.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin on 18 February signed a decree “On the recognition in the Russian Federation of documents and license plates of vehicles issued to citizens of Ukraine and stateless persons permanently residing on the territories of separate districts of Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine”.
As explained earlier, the press Secretary of the President Dmitry Peskov, “the decree in no way is at odds with international law and in violation of international law”. According to him, the decision was made “on humanitarian grounds”.
Earlier Tuesday, Russian foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said that the decree was passed solely in the interests of the people, and dictated by humanitarian considerations.