A step towards bloodshed. Statement by the Yabloko party on the recognition of the independence of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and the “Luhansk People’s Republic”
Statement by the Yabloko party, 22.02.2022
Photo: Signing of the agreement between the “Donetsk People’s Republic”, the “Luhansk People’s Republic” and Russia in the Kremlin on 21 February, 2022. / Photo from kremlin.ru
President Vladimir Putin announced Russia’s recognition of the “independence” of the self-proclaimed “republics” – the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and the “Luhansk People’s Republic”, signed agreements on “mutual assistance” with them, and sent Russian troops to their territories.
This decision grossly violates the Helsinki Act and a number of Russia’s international treaties. At the same time, the rejection of the principle of the inviolability of state borders in Europe is justified by controversial historical digressions, the meaning of which is the desire to restore the Russian Empire within the borders as of the middle of the 19th century.
Proceeding from these strange pseudo-scientific historical and archival grounds, President Putin questions the sovereignty of Ukraine, in fact declares it an enemy of Russia and, in addition, opposes our country to the entire developed modern world.
The consequence of this policy will be the suffering of people – both residents of Donbass and Russia, international isolation of our country, and growing of large-scale economic and social problems.
Yabloko declares a resolute protest against the recognition of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and the “Luhansk People’s Republic”. In the current situation, this is a step towards a sharp increase in tension, fraught with bloodshed.
Vladimir Putin’s policy is rooted solely in the past, it ignores the realities of the modern world and, therefore, deprives Russia of the future.
We categorically disagree with this policy and we are certain that sooner or later we will have to return to the negotiation process with Ukraine, discussion of a peace plan with the participation of international security forces on the basis of the draft proposed by our party back in 2017.
Nikolai Rybakov,
Yabloko Chairman
Yabloko continues to collect signatures against the war with Ukraine. Over 17,000 signatures have been collected as of the morning of 22 February.
Posted: February 22nd, 2022 under Foreign policy, Human Rights, Russia-Eu relations, Russia-Ukraine relations, Yabloko's Regional Branches.