Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov claimed on Monday that Russia could recognize the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) and Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) as a precursor to invading Ukraine. After giving legitimacy to the two majority-Russian states, Moscow could then use it as a "pretext" for "a potential invasion through some kind of introduction of some kind of peacekeepers," he claimed.
"If tomorrow or the day after tomorrow they recognize these terrorist groups that call themselves republics there, they will directly violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. This will already be a violation of generally recognized norms of international law," Reznikov insisted, according to Interfax Ukraine. He added the international community would "have every right" to introduce sanctions against Russia in retaliation.
