Russia’s move threatens international security, stability: Greek prime minister

ANKARA

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Wednesday that Russia’s recognition of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine threatens international security and stability, according to media reports.

His remarks came during a press conference with his Romanian counterpart, Nicolae Ciuca, in Bucharest.

Mitsotakis asserted that Moscow’s moves are a flagrant violation of international law and expressions of revisionism that endanger global security, Greece’s official AMNA news agency reported.

He stressed respect for the territorial integrity and independence of all states is a fundamental principle of the country’s foreign policy and said Greece unequivocally condemns all initiatives contravening these principles.

“As members of the EU and NATO, we coordinate with our partners so that our reaction is both joint and substantial, “added Mitsotakis.

Ciuca noted that Romania also "unequivocally” condemned the Russian violation of international law by recognizing Donetsk and Luhansk.

Such actions contribute to further worsening of European security, he said,

Ciuca also underlined the need to reinforce NATO's eastern flank

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced that it was recognizing two eastern Ukrainian breakaway regions as “independent” states, along with sending Russian forces to “maintain peace” there.

The announcements drew widespread global condemnation as violations of the UN Charter and international law, with Western countries announcing new sanctions on Russia.

In 2014, after invading Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, Moscow began to support separatist forces in eastern Ukraine against the central government, a policy that it has maintained for the past seven years. The conflict has taken more than 13,000 lives, according to the UN.

Putin's latest moves follow Russia amassing 100,000 troops and heavy equipment in and around its neighbor, with the US and Western countries accusing it of setting the stage for an invasion.

Russia has denied it is preparing an invasion and instead claims the West undermined its security through NATO’s expansion toward its borders.