Ukraine cuts ties with Syria over its decision to recognise Donbas 'people’s republics'

Ukraine is breaking off diplomatic relations with Syria over the country’s decision to recognise the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics”, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced.

The ministry noted that Kyiv considers this decision an unfriendly act against Ukraine, an encroachment on its sovereignty and territorial integrity and a violation of Ukrainian law, the UN Charter and the fundamental norms and principles of international law.

the ministry’s statement reads.

Besides, Kyiv initiated the procedure of imposing a trade embargo on Syria, as well as imposing other sanctions on Syrian legal entities and individuals.

Ukraine closed its embassy in Damascus back in 2016, in response to the crimes of Bashar al-Assad’s regime against the Syrian people. Two years later, the Syrian embassy in Kyiv shut down as well.

Yesterday, Syrian state news agency SANA announced, citing an official source in the country’s foreign ministry, that Damascus had decided to recognise the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics” (“DPR” and “LPR”). Syria has become the second UN member state after Russia to recognise the independence of “DPR” and “LPR”. The breakaway states of South Ossetia and Abkhazia recognised the independence of the “republics” as well.