Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed documents to incorporate four regions of Ukraine into Russia at a televised ceremony in the Kremlin.
The move came after Russia held what it called referendums in occupied areas of Ukraine and declared the annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
Poland 'will never recognize' attempts to annex Ukrainian territory: president
Polish President Andrzej Duda condemned the annexation announcement in a Twitter message.
"Poland condemns Russia's attempts to annex Ukrainian territory and will never recognize them," Duda said.
"We will continue to support the Defenders of Ukraine until the aggressor is driven out," he added.
"Today's desperate action by the Kremlin is a defeat for those who naively believed in a compromise with Russia," Duda also tweeted.
Polish foreign ministry condemns 'illegal acts' by Russia
The Polish foreign ministry said in a statement that it "condemns in the strongest terms the illegal acts of 'recognition of independence' and 'incorporation' into the Russian Federation of parts of Ukraine’s regions of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia."
It added the "Ukrainian regions of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia constitute an integral part of Ukraine in accordance with international law."
The Polish foreign ministry also said that Poland "does not and will not recognize the results of the pseudo-referenda" carried out in these areas between September 23 and 27.
"The Republic of Poland does not and will not recognize the decrees of the President of Russia concerning annexation of the abovementioned territories, promulgated on September 29 and 30," the foreign ministry in Warsaw said.
'Direct violation of international law'
It added: "These acts are a direct violation of international law and yet another daring attempt at seizing parts of Ukrainian territory by Russia. They confirm that Russia seeks escalation of the conflict and rejects its peaceful settlement."
The Polish foreign ministry also said in its statement that the international community "cannot remain passive in the face of this blatant breach of fundamental principles of the international order."
It called on "the members of the international community to decisively and urgently increase military support to Ukraine as well as impose further sanctions" on Russia.
"We are in favour of continuation of efforts aimed at complete international isolation of the Russian Federation," the Polish foreign ministry's statement said.
It added: "We unquestionably recognise Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in its internationally recognized borders. We underline Ukraine’s sovereign right to defend itself and undertake any actions necessary to regain full control of its territory temporarily occupied by Russia. We will continue to support Ukraine’s efforts to repel Russian aggression."
The statement also called on Russia "to immediately cease all violations of international law and to instantly and completely withdraw its troops from the whole territory of Ukraine."
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Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters, gov.pl