![Requiem for victims of the attack on the Ohmatdyt National Specialized Children's Hospital in Kyiv, 12 July ©AFP](https://d23pzakm7ws4rd.cloudfront.net/prod/uploads/2024/07/075_ukrinform-requiemf240712_npc8w-255x140.jpg)
IPU President & Secretary General’s Statement on developments in Ukraine
We strongly condemn the Russian President’s decision to recognise the independence of the separatist regions Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine. This is a violation of internationally recognized borders and constitutes a breach in the territorial sovereignty of Ukraine, a fully-fledged IPU Member since 1999.
We urge all parties to refrain from any use of force. We call again for restraint and de-escalation to give diplomacy a chance. Any disputes must be settled by dialogue and peaceful means in the interests of all the people in the region.
IPU President Duarte Pacheco
IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong
![SERGEY BOBOK / AFP](https://d23pzakm7ws4rd.cloudfront.net/prod/uploads/2022/02/UkraineStat-300x197.jpg)
SERGEY BOBOK / AFP