The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv says that the recognition by Russia of passports issued by the self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine – the so-called Donetsk People`s Republic (”DPR”) and Luhansk People`s Republic (”LPR”) – is inconsistent with the Minsk peace process.
”Russian recognition of documents from separatist `republics` [is] troubling and inconsistent with agreed goals of Minsk,” the Embassy tweeted on Sunday, February 19.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 18 legalized the use of ”DPR/LPR”-issued passports and other identity documents, namely birth, marriage/divorce certificates, car registration plates, in Russia.
Putin`s decree stipulates that the ”DPR/LPR” documents are supposedly recognized temporarily until the situation in Donbas has been settled.
Earlier, the RBC media outlet found out that the holders of the ”DPR/LPR” passports could also use services of Russian railways, airlines, and hotels.
Ukrainian authorities, including Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, sharply criticized the decision, saying it had violated the Minsk peace accords.
