KIEV, Feb. 24 – Representative of Ukraine to the security subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group [on implementation of the Minsk agreements] Yevhen Marchuk said that recognition of the so-called documents issued by the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics is an attempt by Moscow to provoke Ukraine to withdraw from the Minsk agreements. He said Ukraine should expect asymmetrical unfriendly acts from the Russian Federation in the near future.

"Russia, by implementing the decree of its president, is saying it recognizing documents issued by authorities occupying areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions (in addition to passports, there are many other documents issued by the occupying forces). This step is meant to provoke Ukraine … into withdrawing from the Minsk peace process, a move, Kiev will be blamed for," Marchuk told 112.ua TV Channel on Wednesday evening.