EU ambassador: recognition of Ukrainian regions' independence is "blatant violation of international law"
Ambassador Hartzell noted the Russian president's decision eventually serves "to the detriment of everyone's security." Photo: EU Delegation to Georgia
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Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognise Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states is a "blatant violation of international law" condemned by European leaders "in the strongest possible terms," EU Ambassadot to Georgia Carl Hartzell said earlier today.
Ambassador Hartzell noted the Russian president's decision eventually serves "to the detriment of everyone's security."
We are also looking forward to continue consulting with the Georgian authorities about both what this means for the region - including for Georgia, and what is the appropriate conclusion to be drawn from this situation," he added.
Putin’s decision to recognise the independence of Ukrainian regions on February 21 follows a call by the Russia's Security Council on the president to do so, while the Russian State Duma unanimously supported the Communist Party's initiative to the Russian president to recognise the independence of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.
The international community has condemned the decision of Russia, expressing support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and warning the Russian Federation of the “swift and firm response,” United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and the country’s foreign minister David Zalkaliani have condemned the recognition of the independence of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.
Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs David Zalkaliani has expressed his solidarity and support for Ukraine during a meeting with Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba at the Munich Security Conference.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his gratitude to Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili for support on the Day of Unity of Ukraine celebrated today.
President Zurabishvili reaffirmed her support for Ukraine on twitter, pointing out that Ukraine's Day of Unity is "particularly significant" for Georgia, as both countries are facing the occupation of their territories.
The Georgian parliament has adopted a resolution initiated by the ruling Georgian Dream party in support of Ukraine amid the Russian military buildup at its border. Seventy-four MPs supported the draft resolution out of a hundred-and-seven MPs registered for the voting.
The United States will stand with the people of Georgia and for the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity "now, more than ever," said US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan in her latest video message from Washington, DC.