Russia's ok to Donbas states in crass violation of int'l law, PM says

Poland's prime minister on Monday called Russia's recognition of two breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region as independent states "a crass violation of international law."

Mateusz Morawiecki said Russia's decision showed it has ultimately rejected the West's dialogue offer in the mounting crisis between Moscow and Ukraine, and said the move called for immediate sanctions on Russia.

On Monday evening, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognising the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics in eastern Ukraine, which have been at war with Kyiv since 2014, as independent states.

"The decision to recognise these self-proclaimed 'republics' means the final rejection of dialogue and stands in crass violation of international law," Morawiecki said.

He added that the move was "an act of aggression against Ukraine" that had to be met with a "clear answer in the form of immediate sanctions."

Morawiecki also said the situation called for an urgent sitting of the European Council.