Zelensky commented on the State Duma's initiative to recognize the LPR and DPR

According to Zelensky, in this situation, the stakes are rising. 

He recalled that Russia puts forward conditions to its Western partners regarding Ukraine and NATO, and those "somehow negotiate with them."

“I think people are raising the stakes.

But the recognition of the so-called L/DPR is a unilateral withdrawal from Minsk," RIA Novosti quoted him as saying to the Ukrainian media.

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."