On Monday night, the European Union announced that it would be placing sanctions against those involved in Russia’s decision to recognize two separatist regions of Ukraine as independent entities.
“President Michel and President von der Leyen condemn in the strongest possible terms the decision by the Russian President to proceed with the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities,” the European Union 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,” the statement continued. “The Union reiterates its unwavering support to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.”
According to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Putin’s actions were “plainly in breach of international law.”
“It’s a … flagrant violation of the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine,” Johnson said. “It is a repudiation of the Minsk process and the Minsk agreements, and I think it’s a very ill omen and a very dark sign.”
Earlier on Monday, Putin announced that his country would be recognizing the independence of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
“I deem it necessary to make a decision that should have been made a long time ago – to immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic,” Putin said during a press conference.
“As for those who captured and is holding on to power in Kyiv, we demand that they immediately cease military action,” Putin added. “If not, the complete responsibility for the possibility of a continuation of bloodshed will be fully and wholly on the conscience of the regime ruling the territory of Ukraine.”
The New York Times reported, “Immediately after the speech, state television showed Mr. Putin at the Kremlin signing decrees recognizing the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, which were created after Russia fomented a separatist war in eastern Ukraine in 2014. Mr. Putin also signed ‘friendship and mutual assistance’ treaties, raising the possibility that Russia could move some of the forces it has built up around Ukraine’s borders into those territories.”
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