Donetsk, Mar 16 — DAN. The Donetsk People’s Republic is most appreciative of the recognition by Syrian President Bashar Assad of the Russian Federation borders following the results of the referenda on the accession of the new territories, DPR Acting Head Denis Pushilin said on Thursday.

“We highly appreciate Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s firm and consistent position which he expressed in the statement on the recognition of the borders of the Russian Federation based on the results of the referenda on the accession of the territories of the DPR, LPR and Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, ” Pushilin said. “We have the same policy towards unfriendly western countries and join efforts in fighting international terrorism.”

The DPR and Syria earlier developed warm and friendly relations, and the Republic, as a RF constituent entity, will seek to actively develop cooperation in the future, he added.

Bashar Assad told reporters on Thursday that Syria would recognize the new Russian borders which include the territories that joined Russia based on the results of the referenda in the DPR, LPR and Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. The Syrian leader underlined that these regions “were passed to Ukraine 100 years ago, ” that they are populated by Russian citizens, and all facts show that it is Russian land.

The Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republic and Zaporozhye and Kherson regions acceded to Russia in late September 2022 following the unification referenda. The transition period for the integration of new regions will last until January 1, 2026.*jk