Amid ongoing military tensions with the West, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recognized the pro-Russian separatist-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine as “independent republics.” At the same time, he announced the deployment of Russian troops as “peacekeepers” in the region. Western nations and world leaders have reacted to Putin’s remarks in a speech on Russian state television on Monday.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has said that the United States supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He added that Putin had no interest in finding a diplomatic solution to the situation.
White House Press Secretary Jane Sackie said in a statement that “US President Joe Biden has strongly condemned Putin’s announcement.” Biden has signed an executive order banning new investments, trade and financing in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.
Earlier, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas Greenfield called Putin’s remarks “irrational.” “We know who those troops are in the name of peacekeeping,” he told an emergency Security Council meeting on the Ukraine crisis.
By recognizing the two regions of Ukraine as independent republics, Putin has broken his promise to reduce ongoing tensions and protect Ukraine’s sovereignty, said French President Emmanuel Makhon. “I condemn such an initiative,” he said. It will hold quick meetings with the United Nations and the European Union to impose sanctions on Russia.
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson said in a statement that “Putin’s announcement is a clear violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity.” It is tantamount to rejecting the Minsk agreement. The United Kingdom will do everything possible to stand by the people of Ukraine. ” Isolating himself from the world. The move would bring NATO and the EU closer together.
A spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the United Nations fully supports Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. At the same time, there is UN support for the country’s internationally recognized borders. Russia’s move is a clear violation of the UN Charter.
The head of the Western military alliance, NATO, Jane Stoltenberg, said: “I condemn the announcement made by Russia. This is a clear violation of the Minsk Agreement. In the agreement, Russia pledged to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Putin’s announcement is a clear violation of international law, the Minsk agreement and Ukraine’s geographical integrity,” said European Commission President Ursula von de Lien.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has warned that Putin’s move will not be accepted. He said the declaration violated Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. If Putin launches an aggression on Ukraine, the international community will quickly retaliate. On the other hand, India’s Ambassador to the UN TS Tirumurthy called on the parties concerned to exercise “restraint” and said that easing tensions around Ukraine should now be a top priority.
Meanwhile, China, one of Russia’s allies, has described the situation as “complex”. Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on condition of anonymity, said: “The current situation in Ukraine is a result of many complex problems.”
Iran has called on the parties concerned to resolve the issue through talks so as not to escalate the ongoing tensions with Ukraine. “The situation in Ukraine is complicated by the provocative actions of the United States and the Western military alliance, NATO,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a statement.
However, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has directly supported Russia’s position on the Ukraine issue. “Russian President Vladimir Putin has done just that by recognizing the two territories of eastern Ukraine as independent,” he said. I am sure that if a referendum is held like Crimea, people will vote to annex those regions (Donetsk and Luhansk) to Russia. ”
Vladimir Putin has been trying for years to restore Russia’s influence over the states that broke away from the Soviet Union. Ukraine is in an important position to meet his goal.
Now that the two rebel-held regions of eastern Ukraine have been recognized as independent states, there is an opportunity to send Russian troops there. Russia has recently mobilized hundreds of thousands of troops along Ukraine’s eastern border. The United States has repeatedly said that Putin is planning a military operation in Ukraine.