‘We are not afraid’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a statement to the nation after Russian leader Vladimir Putin ordered Russian military troops into eastern Ukraine.
Putin on Monday announced that Russia recognizes the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk regions in eastern Ukraine, which are being held by Russian-backed separatist groups. Soon after that, Putin signed a decree issued by the Kremlin that says the Russian Defense Ministry is now authorized to send troops into the area to “maintain peace.”
The United States, in response, announced it will issue sanctions via an executive order from President Joe Biden. Press secretary Jen Psaki issued a White House statement that said Biden’s order will “prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine.”
“This E.O. will also provide authority to impose sanctions on any person determined to operate in those areas of Ukraine.”
The U.N. Security Council scheduled a rare emergency meeting for late Monday at the request of Ukraine, the United States, and six other countries. At the meeting, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield called Putin’s announcement “nonsense.”
“[Putin] has since announced that he will place Russian troops in these regions. He calls them peacekeepers,” Thomas-Greenfield said. “This is nonsense. We know what they really are.”
Zelensky, in a presidential address to the nation, criticized Russia’s recognition of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.
“Ukraine most certainly considers these last Russian actions as the violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country,” he said.
“All responsibility for all the consequences connected with the decision mentioned above lies on the Russian political leadership. The recognition of independence of the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions might mean the unilateral withdrawal of Russia from Minsk agreements.”
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