MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UN chief calls Russia's decision “a violation of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine”

According to news reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally recognized separatist regions in Ukraine’s east as independent states.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called out Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine as independent as “a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine” in a statement read by his spokesperson.

Guterres is “greatly concerned” by the Russian Federation’s decision on the status of certain areas of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the spokesperson said on Monday.

According to news reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally recognized separatist regions in Ukraine’s east as independent states.

In a statement by spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the UN chief 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)”.

Moreover, Guterres considers Russia’s decision to be “a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations”.

The Secretary-General is urging 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 may further escalate the dangerous situation in and around Ukraine and prioritizing diplomacy to address all issues peacefully”.

Dujarric assured that in line with the relevant General Assembly resolutions, the UN remains fully supportive of the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders.

Late Monday there was an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council, but it was adjourned following a 90 minutes debate where several permanent and no permanent members called for restraint, while Western countries condemned Russia's move.

UK, US; and EU announced that on Tuesday they will be announcing further sanctions against Russia.