Nagorno-Karabakh president welcomes Russia’s recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk republics

YEREVAN, February 22. /ARKA/. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) President Arayik Harutyunyan welcomed in a statement today Russia's recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics.

"On behalf of the authorities and the people of the Republic of Artsakh, I welcome the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. The right of nations to self-determination and to build their own state is inalienable for every nation and is a fundamental principle of international law," his statement reads.

Harutyunyan says that the creation of an independent state and its international recognition becomes imperative especially in conditions of existential danger, as international recognition  is a civilized means of preventing bloodshed and humanitarian disaster.

"The Republic of Artsakh has struggled for decades for its freedom, security and establishment of its own state; it has repeatedly had to go through severe trials and genocidal actions. Therefore, we are convinced that the Republic of Artsakh, which has the necessary and indisputable historical, political, legal and moral grounds, has earned international recognition of its sovereignty. We congratulate the peoples of Donetsk and Luhansk on this historic event. We hope that lasting peace and stability will once again be established in this once prosperous country," the statement reads.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced February 21 that he recognized the sovereignty of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. Agreements on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance were signed with their leaders, Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik. -0-