US President Joe Biden signed a decree on new sanctions after Russia recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DNR and LNR). This is reported TASS referring to the White House.
According to the American leader, the recognition of the republics of Donbass contradicts Russia’s obligations under the Minsk agreements and further threatens the peace and stability of Ukraine.
The following is prohibited: new investments from outside [физических и юридических] US persons <...> in the so-called <...> DPR and LPR or other similar regions of Ukraine, as may be determined by the Minister of Finance in agreement with the Secretary of State
In addition, Biden, in a new decree, banned the export, re-export, sale or supply from the United States or by US citizens of any goods, services or technologies to the DNR and LNR.
According to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Russia’s decision means “complete rejection of obligations” of Moscow under the Minsk agreements. “[Это] directly contradicts Russia’s declared commitment to diplomacy and is a clear infringement on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” he said.
Earlier, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that the United States expected such a move from Russia and was ready to respond immediately. President Biden will soon issue an Executive Order that will ban new investment, trade, and funding by U.S. persons in or from the so-called DPR and LPR regions of Ukraine, she explained.
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Sanctions for the recognition of republics
The heads of a number of states have already reacted to Moscow’s recognition of the independence of the Donbass republics. Thus, French President Emmanuel Macron called for targeted European sanctions against Russia in connection with the decree on the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. This was reported in the Elysee Palace, writes TASS.
The President of the Republic condemns the decision taken by the President of the Russian Federation to recognize the separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. Macron called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council, as well as the application of targeted European sanctions
The Canadian Foreign Ministry also said that the country would impose sanctions against Russia due to Russia’s recognition of the republics. This is reported TASS with reference to the statement of the Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly.
Canada, along with its partners and allies, will respond strongly to this disregard for international law. We are preparing to impose economic sanctions for these actions
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Polish President Andrzej Duda also demanded immediate sanctions against Russia. He wrote about this on his Twitter account.
In a situation where the President of Russia is undermining the European order established at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, great unity and a firm position on the part of NATO, the EU and the countries of our region are needed. Only a tough position and political defense of Ukraine can stop the aggressor. Sanctions immediately!
The Japanese authorities also discussed anti-Russian sanctions against the backdrop of Moscow’s recognition of the independence of the DNR and LNR. This is reported RIA News. According to the source, they may affect the export of semiconductors and high-tech products using artificial intelligence.
The British government announced that the introduction of new sanctions against Russia in connection with Moscow’s recognition of the DPR and LPR will be announced on February 22. It is reported by Reuters.
Earlier, British Foreign Minister Liz Truss called Russia’s recognition of the independence of the DPR and LPR a violation of the UN Charter and a disregard for Russia’s obligations under the Minsk agreements. She promised that Britain would coordinate a response to the move with its allies.
President Putin’s recognition of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s Republic” as independent states is a flagrant disregard for Russia’s obligations under the Minsk agreements. This move marks another attack on sovereignty and territorial integrity, signals the end of the Minsk process and violates the UN charter
Sanctions for Russia’s “invasion”
At the same time, the leaders of the countries have repeatedly stressed that the package of anti-Russian sanctions for recognizing the DPR and LPR will be introduced separately from those measures that are prepared in response to any further Russian military “invasion” of Ukraine.
Thus, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said that the EU countries agreed on anti-Russian sanctions in the event of an “invasion” of Ukraine, and promised to support these measures.
There is a consensus that I feel very well, and Austria is part of that consensus. We must join and support a strong package of sanctions against Russia if it comes to military action.
Schallenberg noted that restrictions against the Russian Federation could negatively affect Austria, but he stressed the need to take care of respect for international law, the violation of which in the case of alleged aggression against Ukraine is a “red line”.
Earlier, Reuters sources called new possible sanctions by the United States against Russian banks in the event of Russia’s “invasion” of Ukraine. The main ones concern the ban on American credit institutions to process transactions of large banks from Russia.
The ban on processing transactions of Russian banks means that they cannot directly (through correspondent accounts in American banks) conduct transactions in dollars. In this case, it will theoretically be possible to carry them out through third-country banks that have correspondent accounts with US credit institutions.
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