Press Statement of Special Representative Kinnunen on Russian President Putin’s announcement to recognize certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk Regions of Ukraine

KYIV, 21 February 2022 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Mikko Kinnunen, made the following statement:

“Task of Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) is to support the implementation of Minsk agreements aimed at finding peaceful settlement to the conflict related to eastern Ukraine.

Today President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin informed about his decision to recognize certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. This decision is taken amid already escalating tense security situation.

I deeply regret this decision as it can be seen contradicting the Minsk agreements in different ways, including the aim of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions being part of Ukraine with a special status. As all OSCE participating States, Russia has a commitment to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others, including Ukraine.

It is of crucial importance that today’s decision will not lead to new military action and bloodshed.

Diplomacy and negotiations have no alternative. As Special Representative, I remain available to continue dialogue with all participants to the discussions in the Trilateral Contact Group.”