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NATO won't recognize Donetsk, Luhansk republics as terrorist organizations — Stoltenberg

The secretary-general stressed that NATO condemns the violence in eastern Ukraine
NATO secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg EPA/STEPHANIE LECOCQ
NATO secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg
© EPA/STEPHANIE LECOCQ

BRUSSELS, January 30. /TASS/. NATO cannot declare the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics to be terrorist organizations, the alliance's secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, said on Friday.

Stoltenberg told a news conference there is no way for NATO to do it.

The secretary-general stressed that NATO condemns the violence in eastern Ukraine, adding that the alliance calls on all parties to the conflict to do what they can to uphold the Minsk agreements and to reach a peaceful solution.

He also highlighted the increased need for a political dialogue in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine’s parliament on Tuesday adopted in the first reading a bill on amendments to declare the self-proclaimed republics terrorist organizations. The lawmakers also called on the international community to follow their example. However, the initiative didn't get international support. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Wednesday refused to declare the self-proclaimed republics terrorist organizations.