The United States has warned Russia of the independence of its territory in Ukraine

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken today criticized the decision of Russian lawmakers to freely recognize two Russian-backed separatist areas in eastern Ukraine, saying it was illegal and would attract a quick response.

Russia’s lower house of parliament, the Duma, voted on Tuesday to recognize President Vladimir Putin’s recognition of the self – proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The EU said Russia should not go any further.

“The implementation of this resolution would further undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, a total violation of international law, and call into question Russia’s commitment to continue engaging in diplomacy to achieve a peaceful solution to this crisis,” Blingen said.

The move would require a “quick and firm response from the United States in full coordination with allies and partners,” he said.

The Duma move, if passed, could trigger a broader stalemate over Russian military expansion near Ukraine, prompting Western fears that Moscow could be attacked. Russia has vehemently blamed the West for rejecting any invasion plan.

Recognition of self-proclaimed territories could kill the Minsk peace process in eastern Ukraine, where clashes between government forces and pro-Moscow separatists have killed 15,000 in a region known as Donbass.

The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin had “taken note” of parliament’s demands but would not comply with the 2014-2015 Minsk agreements, which were intended to end the conflict.

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