President Biden will soon impose sanctions on two Kremlin-backed separatist regions in Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin said Russia would recognize them as independent, the White House said on Monday.
The big picture: The U.S. and European Union sharply condemned the announcement by Putin, calling it a violation of international law and a major blow to the peace process in eastern Ukraine. Many fear it could be a pretext for a larger Russian invasion.
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Kremlin recognition of the so-called “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” as “independent” requires a swift and firm response, and we will take appropriate steps in coordination with partners.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) February 21, 2022
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Biden spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday to condemn Putin’s action and discuss “how they will continue to coordinate their response on next steps,” according to a readout from the White House.
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He also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to reaffirm U.S. commitment “to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and update him on the “United States’ response, including our plan to issue sanctions,” per the White House.
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Biden “reiterated that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, in lock-step with its Allies and partners, to further Russian aggression against Ukraine,” the statement added.
What they’re saying:
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement: “President Biden will soon issue an Executive Order that will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine. We will also soon announce additional measures related to today’s blatant violation of Russia’s international commitments.”
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“To be clear: these measures are separate from and would be in addition to the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with Allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine,” she added.Foreign Secretary Tomorrow we will be announcing new sanctions on Russia in response to their breach of international law and attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Putin’s action “represents a complete rejection of Russia’s commitments under the Minsk agreements, directly contradicts Russia’s claimed commitment to diplomacy, and is a clear attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
UN Secretary General António Guterres said in a statement that Russia’s action is “a violation” of Ukraine’s “territorial integrity and sovereignty” and “inconsistent” with the principles of the United Nations Charter.
Macron tweeted that he has called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council and for EU sanctions.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tweeted, “Tomorrow we will be announcing new sanctions on Russia in response to their breach of international law and attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at a press conference that Russia’s move “is plainly in breach of international law. It’s a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine. It is a repudiation of the Minsk process.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement that Russia’s action “further undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, erodes efforts towards a resolution of the conflict, and violates the Minsk Agreements, to which Russia is a party.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel said in a statement, “This step is a blatant violation of international law as well as of the Minsk agreements. The Union will react with sanctions against those involved in this illegal act.
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“The Union reiterates its unwavering support to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders,” they added.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with more comment from the White House, Blinken, Macron, Guterres, Truss and Stoltenberg.
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