Putin: The Minsk Agreements no longer Exist

Russia has always been interested in implementing the Minsk agreements, as the document was the result of a compromise. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin to journalists, adding that the agreements no longer exist.

"That is why I would like to emphasize once again that we were interested in the implementation of this package of measures because it was the result of a compromise," the head of state stressed.

He recalled that he was among the authors of this document on behalf of the Russian Federation.

"Ukrainian authorities have publicly stated that they will not implement the Minsk agreements, and the Russian Federation can no longer tolerate the genocide of the population of Donbas. Kyiv has nullified all efforts to implement the agreements, they were 'killed' by the Ukrainian leadership long before recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics," Putin said.

Yesterday, Russia announced the recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, and President Putin noted that this should have happened "a long time ago." The decision was met with a backlash from the United States, Britain and the EU, which promised to impose sanctions on Moscow.

Russia is falling into International Isolation

Russia has recognized the independence of the republics, citing the failure of Ukrainian authorities to end the conflict in the east of the country by adhering to the Minsk agreements signed in 2015 specifically for this purpose. President Vladimir Putin says Kyiv has chosen to resolve the conflict by military means.

Putin said he recognized the borders of all of eastern Ukraine and called for the country's "demilitarization", AFP reported.

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