The UK government on Thursday warned the Kremlin on Feb. 17 against formally recognizing two pro-Moscow separatist [Russian-occupied] territories in Ukraine, days after the Russian parliament voted to urge President Vladimir Putin to do so.

‘If this request were accepted, it would represent a further attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity… and demonstrate a Russian decision to choose a path of confrontation over dialogue,’“

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.

Source: with agencies