If Russia recognizes the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk republics, it will violate international law and make it difficult to resolve the conflict within the Minsk agreements, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, Report informs.
After Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, military operations began in the Donbas region of Ukraine. As a result, Donetsk and Luhansk regions came under separatist control. Fighting broke out between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and militants from the Russian-backed Donetsk and Luhansk republics. Moscow denies involvement in the conflict.
An absolute majority of UN members, including Azerbaijan, recognize Crimea as Ukrainian territory.