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On February 22, the EU and the US reacted to Russia’s recognition of the independence of the DPR and the LPR.
In this regard, Putin gave a press conference and answered questions about the Kremlin’s recent decision.
The Russian president said that Russia recognized the LPR and the DPR within the borders of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine, according to the Republics’ constitutions. This means twice a bigger territory then the DPR and the LPR have under their control noe. He stressed that all border disputes should be resolved through negotiations.
Vladimir Putin clarified that Russian troops did not enter the territory of the DPR and LPR.
“I did not say that the troops will go there right now after our meeting here,” he said at a press conference.
According to Putin, it is difficult to predict the development of events and actions, and the actions of the Russian military forces depend on the specific situation that develops on the ground.
Vladimir Putin said that the Minsk agreements ceased to exist after the recognition of the DPR and LPR by Russia. At the same time, the agreements have been “killed” for a long time. Neither Europe nor the United States could force the Ukrainian leadership to fulfill the agreements.
He noted that Russia was interested in the implementation of the Minsk agreements, which were “the result of a compromise.” The President recalled that he was one of the authors of these documents.
“Now there are no Minsk agreements, so why implement them if we have recognized the independence of these republics,” the Russian leader said.
On February 22, the Federation Council of Russia unanimously voted to allow the President of Russia to use Armed forces outside the country.
This decree also includes the use of peacekeeping forces.
In response to the recognition of the DPR and LPR, the EU announced the introduction of new sanctions against Russia.
Despite the fact that Europe and the United States stated that the reason for the implementation of sanctions could only be the introduction of Russian troops into the territory of Ukraine.
The EU had repeatedly said it was ready to impose “massive consequences” on Russia’s economy if Moscow invaded Ukraine but has also noted that, given the EU’s close energy and trade ties to Russia, it wanted to move in stages.
The head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrel confirmed that the package of sanctions includes all members of the lower house of the Russian parliament who voted in favour of the recognition of the breakaway regions, freezing any assets they have in the EU and banning them from travelling to the bloc.
It will also target imports and exports with the LPR and the DPR.
Borrell claimed that Brussels is going to ban EU investors from trading in Russian state bonds. Banks involved in financing separatist activities in eastern Ukraine would also be targeted.
“We target the ability of the Russian state and government to access our capital and financial markets and services,” Borrell said.
The details of the sanctions, including the date when the sanctions will take effect, should be announced in the coming days.
On February 22, Germany decided to put the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project on ice.
In his turn, President Joe Biden announced that he will enact the “first tranche” of sanctions on Russia in response to Vladimir Putin’s recognition of the DPR and the LPR.
“This is the beginning of a Russian invasion of Ukraine…so I am going to begin to impose sanctions in response.” – Biden claimed.
Joe Biden’s assessed that Russia has started its invasion of Ukraine, but there is “still time to avert the worst-case scenario”.
The US will impose sanctions on Russian financial institutions, sovereign debt and the country’s elites and their family members.
“They share in the corrupt games of the Kremlin policies and should share in the pain as well,” Biden said.
Any details on the sanctions are yet to be clarified.
Joe Biden concluded that “he is hoping diplomacy is still available.” But the White House announces its first round of sanctions on Russia.
Amid Biden’s “hope for diplomacy,” NATO pulled more than 100 military aircraft to the Ukrainian borders.
Meanwhile, Russia is evacuating its staff of the Embassy and Consulates General in Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. These measures have been taken to protect their lives and safety, as since 2014, the Russian Embassy and Consulates General in Kiev, Odessa, Lviv and Kharkiv have been repeatedly attacked. Diplomats were also threatened with violence, their cars were set on fire. However, the Ukrainian authorities did not take any measures to protect them.
John McCain is looking up from Hell and smiling.
Tell the EU that any further energy payments have to go through the new Russian payment system, NOT SWIFT. Then tell them they cannot use Euros or Dollars. See how that sits in Brussels.
In 3 months we will not need anymore Russian energy. We will cut all diplomatic ties with Russia and we will isolate Russia like North Korea.
All true, but you will have to burn something for the energy. You should start building crematoriums, so that you can first burn out internal enemies, then…
Looks like the price of firewood is gonna’ skyrocket in the EU!!!!
Looks so hahahahaha!