US President, Joe Biden, has announced a new sanctions package against Russia, calling Moscow’s recognition of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent, the “beginning of a Russian invasion” of its neighbour.
In a brief speech at the White House, Mr. Biden condemned his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognise the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk and authorising the deployment of Russian troops to “maintain peace” in the regions.
“If Russia goes further with this invasion, we stand prepared to go further as with sanctions,” Biden said.
“Who in the Lord’s name does Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called countries on territory that belongs to his neighbours? This is a flagrant violation of international law and demands a firm response from the international community.”
US President, Joe Biden
Mr. Biden said the sanctions target Russia’s sovereign debt as well as two large Russian financial institutions, including the country’s military bank.
On Monday, February 21, 2022, Putin recognised the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), areas that have seen fighting between Moscow-backed separatists and the Ukrainian government since 2014.
Moscow then signed agreements with the territories that would allow it to establish a military presence in eastern Ukraine.
The Biden administration initially responded with sanctions targeting trade in the two regions specifically, but the new sanctions announced go after Russia itself.
“We’ll also impose sanctions on Russia’s elites and their family members. They share the corrupt gains of the Kremlin policies and should share in the pain as well. This is the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, as he [Putin] indicated and asked permission to be able to do from his Duma.”
US President, Joe Biden
US and European officials have after weeks said they believe Russia was planning a large-scale incursion into Ukraine.
NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, said “Every indication is that Russia is continuing to plan for a full-scale attack of Ukraine.”
Biden, after a US intelligence assessment, echoed that Russia was “poised to go much further in launching a massive military attack against Ukraine”.
Decision of the West and Sanctions
The United States and its allies quickly denounced Putin’s decision on Monday, February 21, 2022, with several European countries imposing sanctions on Russia.
Germany halted the approval of Nord Stream 2, the Russian-owned $11bn gas pipeline across the Baltic Sea. The United Kingdom announced sanctions on three Russian billionaires and five banks. Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said Russia will have “pariah status” if it continues to invade Ukraine.
Western powers have warned for months that Russia, which has massed troops near the Ukrainian border, could be preparing for an invasion of Ukraine.
Russia has countlessly denied claims of an invasion, but it has vehemently opposed Ukraine’s efforts to join NATO. Moscow also wants security guarantees that the US-led alliance will stop its expansion into former Soviet republics, but Washington and NATO have both rejected the demands.
Several rounds of talks between Western and Russian leaders and diplomats have failed to resolve the crisis.
On Tuesday, February 21, 2022, Moscow blamed Kyiv for escalating the situation, with the Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, accusing Ukraine of being on the verge of a “military adventure” in Luhansk and Donetsk.
Nebenzia, while speaking at the UN Security Council, said: “We remain open to diplomacy, but allowing a bloodbath in the Donbas is not what we intend to do.”
Ukraine has repeatedly denied Russian allegations that its forces are attacking the breakaway regions.
US Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, suggested ahead of talks with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, on Tuesday, February 21, 2022, that it was not too late to resolve the crisis diplomatically.
“Mr Putin can still avoid a full-blown, tragic war of choice.”
US Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin
Biden also said the door remains open for diplomacy. “There is still time to avert the worst-case scenario that will bring untold suffering to millions of people if they move as suggested,” the US president said.
“The United States and our allies and partners remain open to diplomacy if it is serious.”
US President, Joe Biden
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