Unacceptable Move: Turkey's Response to Russia's Decision

The recognition of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) by Russia is an unacceptable move that violates the Minsk agreements and Ukraine's territorial integrity. This is stated in the official statement of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The decision of the Russian Federation to recognize the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk republics is, in addition to violating the Minsk agreements, a clear infringement on Ukraine's political unity and its territorial integrity. The decision of the Russian Federation is unacceptable, and we reject it,” the statement published on the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website reads.

The Turkish foreign ministry called on all concerned parties to act “in accordance with sound judgment and to uphold international law.”

On February 21, after an extraordinary meeting of the Security Council, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the citizens of the Russian Federation, stating that it is necessary to decide to promptly recognize the sovereignty of the LPR and DPR, as those who have chosen the path of bloodshed, violence, and illegality have not recognized and do not recognize any other solution to the Donbas conflict other than military.

Immediately after that, the president signed decrees recognizing the LPR and DPR, as well as assistance agreements.

The EU and NATO have condemned this decision.