the german chancellor Olaf Scholz and the French presidents Emmanuel Macron and american Joe Biden They noted on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize the independence of the rebel regions of eastern Ukraine “will not go unanswered,” according to the German government spokesman.
The three leaders “agree that this unilateral move by Russia is a clear violation“of the Minsk peace accords to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, the German chancellery said in a statement published after a meeting between the leaders.
The three Western allies pledged not to waver in their commitment to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.
After praising the moderation of Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky in the face of recent events, they stated that “they will do everything whatever is within your reach to prevent further escalation of the situation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Monday the independence of the Ukrainian provinces of Donetsk and Lugansk, self-proclaimed in 2014 with the support of Moscow and despite warnings to the contrary from Western powers.
Putin had announced his decision in phone calls to the leaders of Germany and France, who expressed disappointment, the Kremlin said.