PES President Sergei Stanishev said:
“The official recognition by Russia of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics is a violation of the international law and of the Minsk agreements. We condemn such actions.
“The PES wants to see a peaceful solution to the situation in eastern Ukraine. Let’s not forget that behind terms like “territories and escalation” there are hundreds of thousands of people who are suffering. Only diplomacy can allow the people in eastern Ukraine, who have been living under the threat of full-scale war for years, to breathe.”
The PES recognises the efforts of the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, EU High Representative Josep Borrell and all European leaders who are tirelessly working on a diplomatic solution. Russia should also turn towards negotiations.
Earlier this month, the PES Foreign Policy Network called on Russia to cease hostilities towards Ukraine.
