Kremlin ‘regrets’ Ukrainian law recognising Russian occupation

MOSCOW: The Kremlin on Friday said it "regrets" a new Ukrainian law that formally recognises the conflict in the east of the country as a "temporary Russian occupation".

"We regret this. Of course, Russia will remain committed to the word and spirit of the Minsk accords with other guarantor countries France and Germany, but we regret that such steps only distract us from the desired goal," the Kremlin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.

Ukraine’s parliament on Thursday formally recognised its eastern war as a "temporary Russian occupation" in a vote that outraged Moscow. "Russia does not agree with this formulation," Peskov said, adding that "Russia is not a side or a party in this conflict."

"This law could influence the regulating of the conflict in the most negative of ways," Peskov said. On Thursday the Russian Foreign Ministry said the passing of the law amounted to preparation for war. "You cannot call this anything but preparation for a new war," the foreign ministry said in a statement.