"Today's recognition by President Putin of the separatist self-proclaimed "People's Republics" in eastern Ukraine is a gross violation of international law," Burbock was quoted as saying by the website of the German Foreign Ministry.
According to her, this decision "deals a blow" to efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees on Russia's recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics.