EU and US promise more sanctions against Russia as Putin recognises breakaway republics in Ukraine
The European Union’s top officials said the bloc will impose more sanctions against those involved in Russia’s recognition of two separatist regions of eastern Ukraine amid fears of a potential Russian invasion of the country.
The announcement came after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to formally recognise the independence of two rebel-controlled regions in eastern Ukraine.
In a joint statement on Monday evening, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel said the recognition was “a blatant violation of international law.”
The pair added that the EU “will react with sanctions” and “reiterates its unwavering support to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.”
The White House said President Biden will also order new sanctions, and called Putin's announcement a “blatant violation of Russia’s international commitments.” The American sanctions will prohibit new investment, trade and financing in the two separatist regions of Ukraine recognized by Putin - the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.
There's been a chorus of condemnation from Western allies reacting to President Putin's Monday evening announcement.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said "we will not allow Russia's violation of its international commitments to go unpunished"; while Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted that he had already spoken to President Biden and planned to speak with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson about the situation as well.
Earlier, Johnson said plans to recognise the two breakaway republis were "a very ill omen and a very dark sign" and said the UK would have to now consider what more they
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