Putin's Recognition Of Ukraine Separatist Areas Breaches Sovereignty: UK

This is plainly in breach of international law. It's a ... flagrant violation of the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine, said UK PM.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday slammed Russia's recognition of separatist republics as "a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and integrity of the Ukraine".

Russian President Vladimir Putin's recognition of the independence of pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine is "a repudiation of the Minsk process and the Minsk agreements," Johnson said, referring to a faltering Ukraine peace deal.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Putin's move "signals an end to the Minsk process and is a violation of the United Nations Charter.

"We will not allow Russia's violation of its international commitments to go unpunished," Truss tweeted.