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- In an extended speech on Russian state TV, Putin rejected the thought of Ukrainian nationhood.
- The Russian president instantly threatened pro-democracy activists and civil servants.
- His remarks got here as Biden met with advisers on the White Home on the disaster in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops Monday to “keep peace” in two separatist territories in jap Ukraine shortly after recognizing the Russian-backed areas as impartial, stoking fears {that a} Russian invasion may very well be coming quickly.
The Kremlin decree signed by Putin didn’t specify whether or not or when Russian troops would enter Ukrainian territory. It got here as President Joe Biden signed an government order to sanction any Individuals who put money into the jap Ukraine areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, the 2 breakaway areas that Putin acknowledged as impartial.
Putin’s strikes additional infected tensions with the West amid fears of a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine. Biden is planning to announce further sanctions on Tuesday, the White Home confirmed.
The developments led the U.N. Safety Council to schedule an emergency assembly Monday evening on the request of Ukraine, the US and 6 different international locations together with Russia, which at present holds the rotating council presidency.
Undersecretary-Normal Rosemary DiCarlo opened the session late Monday with a warning that “the chance of main battle is actual and must be prevented in any respect prices.”
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated Putin “has put earlier than the world a selection” and it “should not look away” as a result of “historical past tells us that wanting the opposite approach within the face of such hostility will probably be a much more expensive path.”
Russia’s U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, stated Putin acted in response to Ukrainian aggression. He stated Russia was open to diplomacy however wouldn’t permit “a brand new massacre within the Donbas.”
China’s U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun referred to as for restraint and a diplomatic answer to the disaster.
In Washington, a senior Biden administration official accused Putin of in search of to “justify a conflict” throughout a rambling, hourlong speech through which he incorrectly claimed that Ukraine was solely the product of power-brokering throughout the starting of the Soviet Union.
Extra:Is Russia going to invade Ukraine? Satellite tv for pc photos present the newest Russian troop actions
But it was unclear whether or not Putin’s “peacekeeping” operations within the jap Donbas area would set off the full-fledged “extreme” sanctions that Biden has threatened if Putin invades Ukraine.
The U.S. will “observe and assess” what Russia does subsequent, the U.S. official stated. However, the official stated, “Russian troops transferring into Donbas by itself wouldn’t be a brand new step” as a result of Russian forces have been within the area for eight years.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, sought to undertaking calm, telling the nation: “We’re not afraid of anybody or something. We don’t owe anybody something. And we received’t give something to anybody.”
– Joey Garrison, AP
Biden planning new sanctions Tuesday
Biden will announce new sanctions on Russia Tuesday in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin ordering troops to 2 separatist territories in jap Ukraine, based on the White Home.
“We plan to announce new sanctions on Russia tomorrow in response to Moscow’s selections and actions in the present day,” a White Home spokesperson confirmed late Monday evening. “We’re coordinating with Allies and companions on that announcement.”
The severity of the sanctions is unclear. The penalties will probably be along with restricted financial sanctions Biden accredited Monday prohibiting U.S. commerce and investments within the Russian-backed jap Ukraine areas of Donetsk and Luhansk. That transfer got here after Putin declared the 2 areas as impartial.
Putin later ordered troops to “keep peace” in two separatist territories, stoking fears {that a} full-scale invasion may very well be coming quickly. It is unclear whether or not or when Russian troops may transfer into these areas.
Biden has warned for weeks that any Russian invasion of Ukraine would lead to “swift and extreme” sanctions. However a senior U.S. official, talking on the situation of anonymity, indicated that an invasion of the jap Donbas space in Ukraine won’t meet that bar.
The official stated “Russian troops transferring into Donbas by itself wouldn’t be a brand new step” as a result of Russian forces have been within the area for eight years.
— Joey Garrison
The place issues stand
- Putin orders troops into Ukraine
Putin ordered troops Monday to “keep peace” in two separatist territories within the jap Ukraine shortly after recognizing the Russian-backed areas as impartial, stoking fears {that a} Russian invasion may very well be coming quickly. A Kremlin decree signed by Putin didn’t specify whether or not or when Russian troops would enter Ukrainian territory. .
- Biden indicators restricted sanctions after Putin
Biden signed an government order Monday implementing minor financial sanctions banning U.S. commerce and investments in Donetsk and Luhansk in response to Putin recognizing the independence of the separatist areas. The White Home made clear that these will not be the full-fledged sanctions the U.S. and allies are ready to take if Russia conducts a fell-scale invasion.
- US: Putin’s speech was designed to ‘justify conflict’
The Biden administration accused Putin of in search of to “justify a conflict” in his speech Monday earlier than the Russian president acknowledged two separatist components of jap Ukraine as impartial. In a speech aired on Russian state tv, Putin referred to as it “insanity” that Ukraine has independence throughout his hourlong speech, incorrectly claiming that the nation was solely the product of power-brokering throughout the starting of the Soviet Union.
- UN Safety Council holds emergency assembly
Monday’s developments led the U.N. Safety Council to schedule an emergency assembly Monday evening on the request of Ukraine, the U.S. and 6 different international locations. The assembly was set to start at 9 p.m. EST.
US diplomats in Ukraine will briefly relocate to Poland, though US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated these personnel will “recurrently return” to proceed diplomatic work.
— Joey Garrison
US diplomats relocating to Poland
American diplomats stationed in Ukraine will briefly relocate to Poland, Secretary of State Antony Blinken introduced Monday, amid fears of an imminent Russian invasion.
“For safety causes, Division of State personnel at present in Lviv will spend the evening in Poland,” Blinken stated. “Our personnel will recurrently return to proceed their diplomatic work in Ukraine and supply emergency consular companies.”
Blinken made the announcement after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian forces to “keep peace” in jap Ukraine. It was not instantly clear if troops would enter Ukrainian territory, however the Biden administration has been warning for weeks that Russia plans to invade its neighbor.
The State Division has urged Individuals in Ukraine to go away the nation – a message Blinken reiterated on Monday.
“The safety scenario in Ukraine continues to be unpredictable all through the nation and will deteriorate with little discover. There’s a sturdy probability that any Russian navy operations would severely limit industrial air journey,” Blinken stated.
He stated Russian troops have continued to maneuver nearer to the border “in what appears to be like like plans for an invasion at any second” and included an ominous message to Individuals who select to stay in Ukraine.
“Within the occasion of an assault, U.S. residents ought to search shelter in a hardened construction and monitor main information shops for steerage on when it’s secure to maneuver,” he stated.
— Deirdre Shesgreen
US: Putin’s speech was designed to ‘justify conflict’
The Biden administration accused Vladimir Putin of in search of to “justify a conflict” in his speech Monday earlier than the Russian president acknowledged two separatist components of jap Ukraine as impartial.
In an tackle on Russian state tv, Putin made a number of false claims that appear “designed to excuse potential navy motion,” a senior Biden administration official, talking on the situation of anonymity, informed reporters. “This was a speech to the Russian individuals to justify a conflict.”
Putin referred to as it “insanity” that Ukraine has independence throughout his hourlong speech, incorrectly claiming that the nation was solely the product of power-brokering throughout the starting of the Soviet Union.
“We consider he made clear his true design,” the official stated. “This wasn’t a speech nearly Russia’s safety. It was an assault on the very thought of a sovereign and impartial Ukraine.”
Biden imposed restricted financial sanctions Monday in response to Putin signing decrees Monday recognizing the Russian-backed jap Ukraine areas of Donetsk and Luhansk as impartial. An government order signed by Biden sanctions Individuals who put money into the jap Ukraine areas of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Russian troops proceed to maneuver nearer to the Ukraine border “in what appears to be like like plans for an invasion at any second,” the official stated, additionally pointing to new stories that Russia has ordered “peacekeeping” operations within the two separatist areas.
But it was unclear whether or not the newest actions can be met with full-fledged “extreme” sanctions that Biden has threatened if Putin invades Ukraine.
The official stated “Russian troops transferring into Donbas by itself wouldn’t be a brand new step” as a result of Russian forces have been within the area for eight years. The U.S. will “observe and assess” what Russia does within the hours forward, based on the official, and would reply in a approach that’s “applicable to the motion.”
– Joey Garrison
Government order bans monetary actions
Biden’s order will bar Individuals from new funding, commerce and financing to, from or within the areas, based on the assertion. Further measures associated to what Psaki described as a “blatant violation of Russia’s worldwide commitments” are additionally anticipated.
The manager order is separate from the financial measures Biden and Western allies have vowed to impose on Moscow ought to Russia additional invade Ukraine.
“We now have anticipated a transfer like this from Russia and are prepared to reply instantly,” Psaki stated. “We’re persevering with to intently seek the advice of with allies and companions, together with Ukraine, on subsequent steps and on Russia’s ongoing escalation alongside the border with Ukraine.”
Biden spoke with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelesnkyy on Monday afternoon as Putin delivered televised remarks justifying his choice to acknowledge the 2 Ukrainian provinces as impartial states. Biden additionally convened a name with French President Emanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, based on the White Home.
Biden additionally met with members of his nationwide safety group on the White Home on Monday. Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin, Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Workers, have been in attendance, based on a White Home official who spoke on situation of anonymity so as to talk about particulars of the assembly.
Biden, who had nothing on his public schedule for Presidents Day, spent the vacation weekend assembly with members of his nationwide safety group as Russian troops ratcheted up navy drills at Ukraine’s borders.
Extra:The enigma of Vladimir Putin: What do we really know about Russia’s leader?
Putin lays blame on NATO
Putin justified his decision in a far-reaching, pre-recorded speech blaming NATO for the current crisis and calling the U.S.-led alliance an existential threat to Russia.
Putin directly threatened pro-democracy activists and civil servants who had led the pro-democracy push in the country after the 2014 revolution ousting a pro-Russian government.
“We know their names, and we will find them and bring them to justice,” he said.
The Russian president also claimed, without evidence, that Ukraine was preparing to develop its own nuclear weapons that could threaten Russia.
More:How Ukraine became the independent democracy it is today: A visual perspective of the country’s history
Ukraine had been an independent country and a member of various imperial blocs, including the Russian empire, for centuries before becoming a member state of the Soviet Union during the 20th century. Historians are in broad agreement that there has long been a linguistic and cultural Ukrainian identity distinct from Russia.
A recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states has major implications. The Russian-backed rebels fighting the Ukrainian military there do not control all the territory they claim. Russian recognition of the full claim sets the groundwork for military support into Ukrainian territory.
EU announces sanctions
The European Union’s top officials say the bloc will impose sanctions against those involved in Russia’s recognition of the two separatist regions amid fears of a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel say in a joint statement that the recognition is “a blatant violation of international law.” The statement adds that the bloc “will react with sanctions” and “reiterates its unwavering support to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.”
More:Ravaged by ongoing war, people in Ukraine’s Luhansk region want the shooting to end
Sullivan: Russian attack would be ‘major’
Earlier Monday, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan again warned that Russian forces are mobilizing for an impending, bloody invasion of Ukraine. That came less than a day after Biden agreed “in principle” to meet with Putin should Russia not invade.
“All signs look like President Putin and the Russians are proceeding with a plan to execute a major military invasion of Ukraine,” Sullivan said Monday on ABC News. Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces have been “getting in position to attack.”
Sullivan told NBC News’ “Today” that the Biden administration is working on dual tracks, ready to “respond decisively” in case of invasion, yet ready “to settle this peacefully.
More:Is Russia going to invade Ukraine? Satellite images show the latest Russian troop movements
Macron tried to broker a summit between Biden and Putin in a series of calls over the weekend. His office said both leaders “accepted the principle of such a summit,” to be followed by a broader summit meeting involving other “relevant stakeholders to discuss security and strategic stability in Europe.” It added that the meetings “can only be held on the condition that Russia does not invade Ukraine.”
More:‘Shields up’: Biden administration moves to protect U.S. targets from Russian cyber attack
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that Putin and Biden could meet if they consider it necessary, but he emphasized that “it’s premature to talk about specific plans for a summit.”
“When President Macron asked President Biden yesterday if he was prepared in principle to meet with President Putin if Russia did not invade, of course President Biden said yes,” Sullivan said. “The meeting is possible if the leaders consider it feasible,” he said in a conference call with reporters.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Follow Matthew Brown online @mrbrownsir.
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