UN Criticizes Russia: "Refrain from Actions Undermining Ukraine's Territorial Integrity"

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The United Nations (UN) criticized Russia on the 21st (local time) for approving the separatist independence declared by pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region of Ukraine, the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR).

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated at the regular briefing that day, "We urge restraint from unilateral decisions or actions that could undermine Ukraine's territorial integrity and the implementation of the Minsk agreements."

Dujarric's remarks came immediately after Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly stated the need to convene a National Security Council meeting to review the issue of independence recognition.

President Putin announced after the meeting that he had signed a presidential decree recognizing the independence of the two republics.

Dujarric said, "The UN fully supports Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders," and urged that "all issues be resolved through diplomacy."

He also conveyed that UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres expressed deep concern over the recent developments. Due to increasing geopolitical risks surrounding Ukraine, Secretary-General Guterres canceled his scheduled visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo the following day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.