Russia will directly violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine by recognizing the self-proclaimed "DPR" and "LPR," Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov said on Monday, February 21.
"If they recognize these terrorist groups that call themselves republics there tomorrow or the day after tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, they will directly violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. This will already be a violation of universally recognized norms of international law, and it will mean that, in fact, this is the pretext, as they say in English, for a potential invasion through some kind of introduction of some peacekeepers or something, whatever they will call it," he said.
In this case, according to the Minister, the international community will have a full right to impose sanctions against Russia.
Reznikov stressed that the mere fact of recognition does not mean an automatic open entry of the Russian Armed Forces into the territory of the ORLO.
