Earlier in the day, Putin spoke by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Scholz, informing him that he was about to sign an order on the recognition of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s Republic”. Macron and Scholz expressed disappointment at the development, while expressing their willingness to keep in touch on relevant issues.

In April 2014, a large-scale armed conflict between Ukrainian government forces and local civilian armed forces broke out in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Civilian armed forces subsequently announced the establishment of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s Republic”. Through the mediation of the international community, the two parties to the conflict reached a ceasefire agreement in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, in September 2014 and February 2015 respectively. Since then, large-scale armed conflicts have been brought under control, but small-scale exchanges of fire have occurred from time to time.

On the 18th of this month, the eastern Ukrainian civilian armed forces announced that they would evacuate local residents to Russia on a large scale from now on due to the danger of Ukraine launching a military operation. The government of the southern Russian state of Rostov announced on the 19th that it has entered a state of emergency from today due to the continuous increase in the number of refugees from the eastern part of Ukraine.

Ukraine’s president accuses Russia of violating Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity

The Ukrainian presidential website issued a statement in the early hours of the 22nd, saying that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia’s recognition of the two “republics” in the eastern region of Ukraine, believing that Russia’s decision was a violation of Ukraine’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and undermined peace efforts and peace. existing negotiation model.

After an emergency meeting of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, Zelensky said that Russia’s decision to recognize the “independence” of the “temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk” violated Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and The legalization of its troops in the Donbass means that Russia unilaterally withdraws from the Minsk agreement, ignoring the relevant decisions of the “Normandy model” Quartet.

Zelensky said he had discussed the current situation with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Scholz, U.S. President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Council President Michel. He suggested an urgent “Normandy model” Quartet summit, and assured that Ukraine would be committed to political and diplomatic solutions to the conflict, but would not succumb to provocation.

In April 2014, a large-scale armed conflict between government forces and local civilian armed forces broke out in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Civilian armed forces subsequently announced the establishment of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s Republic”. Through the mediation of the international community, the two parties to the conflict reached a ceasefire agreement in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, in September 2014 and February 2015 respectively. Since then, large-scale armed conflicts have been brought under control, but small-scale exchanges of fire have occurred from time to time.

Russia has been seeking legal guarantees from NATO not to expand eastward and not to include Ukraine and other countries in NATO. However, since Biden took office as US president, he has taken a tough stance on Russia, supported Ukraine’s entry into NATO, and increased military assistance to Ukraine. The situation in Ukraine is heating up again. Since the end of last year, Russia-Ukraine relations have become more tense. Since the 17th of this month, the situation in the eastern part of Uzbekistan has deteriorated. The Uzbek government and local civilian armed forces have accused each other of launching provocative shelling on the contact line. On the evening of the 21st, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order recognizing the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s Republic” in eastern Ukraine.

UN Secretary-General deeply concerned by Russia’s decision on the status of two ‘republics’ in eastern Ukraine

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over Russia’s decision to recognize the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s Republic” in eastern Ukraine on the 21st, and urged all parties concerned to prioritize diplomatic activities and resolve all issues peacefully. question.

Guterres issued a statement through a spokesman on the same day, calling on all parties to peacefully resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine in accordance with the Minsk agreement recognized by the Security Council. The statement said that in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly, the United Nations remains fully supportive of Ukraine’s sovereign independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

The statement urges all parties concerned to immediately cease hostilities, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, prevent any actions and rhetoric that may escalate the situation, and prioritize diplomatic activities to resolve all issues peacefully.

Guterres traveled to Germany last week for the 58th Munich Security Conference. In view of the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, Guterres has cancelled his original plan to visit the Democratic Republic of Congo and returned to New York on the 22nd.

By Astrid Zhang Lehan