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Statement by PACE President Tiny Kox on the recognition of the so-called ‘people’s republics’ of Donetsk and Luhansk by the Russian Federation

“I am joining the statement of Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić that the recognition of the so-called ‘peoples’ republics’ of Donetsk and Luhansk by the Russian Federation is in violation of international law and represents a unilateral breach of the Minsk agreements - which remain the only basis for a settlement of the conflict in Donbas,” said PACE President Tiny Kox.

“With the Secretary General, I affirm unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

With the Secretary General, I call on the Russian Federation to reverse this decision and to abstain from further aggravating the situation.

With the Secretary General, I insistently call on our member states to solve their disagreement through dialogue based on respect for the principles enshrined in the Statute of the Council of Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights.

I shall propose to the Assembly to address this issue as a matter of urgency, including at the Standing Committee in Berlin on 11 March 2022.”