On 4 November 2020, President Putin signed a decree that facilitates the recognition by the Russian Federation of documents and vehicle registrations issued to citizens and permanent residents of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions. This constitutes yet another attempt by Russia to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

We expect Russia to refrain from actions that run counter to the Minsk agreements and impede the full reintegration of the non-Government controlled areas into Ukraine, and instead to fully implement its commitments under the Minsk agreements.

In 2019, the European Commission and the European External Action Service issued guidance on the handling of visa applications from residents of non-Government controlled areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions to ensure respect for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that the EU rules on Schengen visas are correctly and consistently applied in the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

The European Union remains steadfast in its support to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.