At a meeting of the UN Security Council, six European countries opposed the recognition of the LPR and DPR by Russia

“We warn that such a step will lead to a further violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and will directly violate the spirit and letter of the Minsk agreements,” TASS cites the text of the countries’ joint statement following the UN Security Council meeting.

On February 15, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin announced that the lower house of parliament at a plenary session voted in favor of sending an appeal to the Russian president recognizing the independence of the LPR and DPR.

Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the vote of State Duma deputies on sending an appeal to the head of state regarding the recognition of the LPR and DPR.

According to the Russian leader, the authorities will act on the basis of "not fully realized opportunities for the implementation of the Minsk agreements."