Digital Desk: On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised two separatist areas in eastern Ukraine as autonomous and ordered the Russian army to conduct what Moscow called a peacekeeping operation into the region, escalating a situation that the West worries might lead to a catastrophic war.
Putin directed Russia's defence ministry to deploy soldiers to the two regions to "keep the peace" in a decree published shortly after granting recognition for Russian-backed rebels there, prompting outrage and threats of fresh penalties from the United States and Europe.
Since the area was already controlled by Russian-backed rebels and Moscow in practise, it was unclear if the Russian military operation would be considered by the West as the commencement of an invasion of Ukraine, something the US and its allies had warned about for weeks.
There was no news on the number of Putin's army, but the proclamation stated that Russia now had the authority to create military bases in the separatist area, and that the troops' purpose would be to keep the peace.
In a lengthy televised statement replete with complaints against the West, Putin, obviously agitated, defined Ukraine as a vital part of Russia's history, saying eastern Ukraine was old Russian territory and that he was convinced the Russian people would back his choice.
Putin, flanked by Russia-backed separatist leaders, signed a proclamation recognising the independence of the two Ukrainian breakaway areas – the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic – as well as agreements on cooperation and friendship.
Defying Western warnings, Putin communicated his decision earlier in phone calls to the presidents of Germany and France, both of whom expressed displeasure, according to the Kremlin.
Moscow's decision may jeopardise a last-minute meeting with US President Joe Biden to dissuade Russia from invading Ukraine. As Putin talked, the rouble continued to fall, reaching 80 per dollar at one point.
According to the White House, Biden would sign an executive order soon forbidding "new investment, trade, and funding by U.S. people to, from, or in" the two breakaway territories. It would "also grant power to impose sanctions on any individual determined to operate in specific regions of Ukraine," according to White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
Psaki stated that the actions being implemented in reaction to Putin's decision are distinct from the penalties that the US and its allies have been preparing in case Russia invades Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the executive order "is designed to prevent Russia from profiting off of this blatant violation of international law."
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