What Sanctions Is the US Threatening? White House Statement Sparks Discussion

The White House issued a statement immediately following Russian President Vladimir Putin's speech, indicating that the US was expecting such actions from Russia. This step is seen by Moscow as a gross violation of its international obligations.

US President Joe Biden is expected to sign an executive order prohibiting any American companies and organizations from engaging with Luhansk and Donetsk, as well as imposing sanctions on individuals doing business in those regions. This was reported by ozodi.org.

The statement clarifies that this is not about a package of sanctions that would be enacted if Russia invades Ukrainian territory.

It has also been reported that Biden had a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Details remain unclear.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has sharply condemned Vladimir Putin's decision, stating that it "further undermines Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, nullifies efforts for conflict resolution, and violates the Minsk agreements."

EU leaders Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen have condemned the actions of the Russian president in the "strongest terms," announcing the inevitability of new sanctions. They referred to the events as a violation of international law and Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called Putin's decision a "serious blow to peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict." Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has urged for a "decisive response and immediate sanctions" against the Kremlin.

A response from other world leaders is expected soon.

At the same time, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a Kremlin ally, has expressed readiness to recognize the independence of the self-proclaimed LPR and DPR, according to his government.

It is noteworthy that Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a televised address to the citizens of the country on February 21, announced that Moscow recognizes the separatist republics in Eastern Ukraine as independent states. Following this, a ceremony was broadcast where agreements on friendship and cooperation between the Russian Federation and the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic" were signed.

In the same decrees recognizing the independence of the LPR and DPR, Putin ordered the deployment of Russian troops to those regions, entrusting the Russian armed forces with the responsibility of maintaining peace.

Following Putin's announcement, the Ukrainian Attorney General initiated a criminal case, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, assuring that the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine would remain intact despite Russia's actions and declarations.