Malta has condemned the decision of the Russian Federation to formally recognise the independence of the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk.

This decision is a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, is inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and in breach of the Minsk agreements and undermines the possibility of a diplomatic solution, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

“Together with the European Union, Malta reiterates its strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, as well as its sovereign right to choose its own foreign and security policy path,” the Ministry said.

The Ministry said that Malta also remains deeply concerned about the increasing shelling reported across the contact line leading to a number of casualties, and on the number of ceasefire violations recorded by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

“Malta reiterates in the strongest possible terms that dialogue and diplomacy should continue to be pursued by all sides. In this very critical time Malta is also in contact with its EU partners,” the Ministry said.

Malta again called for the peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, in accordance with the Minsk Agreement as endorsed by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2202 (2015), and calls on all parties to uphold their commitments, abide by international law and return to the discussions within the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group.