Recognition of independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by the Russian Federation is a logical continuation of the process which was set by the Western countries concerning recognition of Kosovo independence. Back in February of this year I publicly expressed my anxiety that such step of the West would definitely trigger a chain reaction. And we warned the world against the danger of using double standards in the case of recognizing Kosovo independence.

Proclamation of Kosovo independence without Serbia’s consent actually broke the order established in the matter of inviolability of boundaries after the Second World War.

The world got a serious precedent for annihilating the Helsinki (1975) agreements which guaranteed inviolability of state boundaries, – I said then.

Just a few months passed and the prognosis proved correct. How the fact that Russia acknowledged independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the people of which declared for independence, should be perceived? It is necessary to avoid double standards and act similarly as the West did towards proclamation of Kosovo independence. I consider that Ukraine should accept the will of the people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and recognize their independence.