Putin orders Russian troops into separatist-held areas of Ukraine
From CNN's Nathan Hodge, Darya Tarasova and Jim Sciutto
(Alexei Nikolsky/Kremlin Pool/Sputnik/AP)
A decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday, which recognized two-pro Moscow breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, ordered Russian armed forces into the territories in what it called “peacekeeping functions.”
The US expects Russian troops could move as soon as tonight or tomorrow into Donbas for their so-called “peacekeeping” mission, according to a senior US official familiar with latest intelligence.
The US is still seeing preparations for a potential broadening operation including loading amphibious ships and loading equipment for airborne units.
5:02 p.m. ET, February 21, 2022
Foreign secretary says the UK will announce new sanctions on Russia
From CNN's Sharon Braithwaite
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss arrives for an EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee in Brussels on Monday, February 21. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images)
The United Kingdom will announce new sanctions on Russia on Tuesday, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Monday, following Putin's recognition of separatist regions in Ukraine.
"Tomorrow we will be announcing new sanctions on Russia in response to their breach of international law and attack on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Truss said on her verified Twitter account.
Truss's tweet comes after the White House announced President Biden is planning to impose new restrictions on trade and financing in the two pro-Moscow territories.
The UK toughened its sanctions regime against Russia on Feb. 10, when the new legislation was laid in Parliament.
4:57 p.m. ET, February 21, 2022
French president calls for an urgent meeting of UN Security Council and for EU sanctions
From CNN's Xiaofei Xu in Paris
French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognize the separatist states of eastern Ukraine, the Elysée Palace said Monday in a press statement.
"This is clearly a unilateral violation of Russia's international commitments and an attack on the sovereignty of Ukraine," the Elysée said.
Macron is requesting, "an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council and for the adoption of targeted European sanctions," the Elysée also said.
4:29 p.m. ET, February 21, 2022
Estonia's president condemns Putin's decision to recognize separatist regions
From CNN's Tim Lister
President of Estonia Alar Karis has condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognize the independence of two separatist pro-Moscow regions in Ukraine, adding that Estonia stands with the people of Ukraine.
In a post from Karis’s verified Twitter account, on Monday he said, “We are seeing a planned, premeditated escalation by Russia. No matter the outcome, the message could not be clearer: nothing uttered by the Russian state can unfortunately be trusted. The path for a free, European Ukraine is clear and Estonia supports if fully #WeStandWithUkraine.”
Another tweet from Karis' account added that “Estonia will never accept the illegal decision by Russia to recognize Donetsk and Luhansk regions. They are an internationally recognized part of Ukraine, like Crimea. Clearly, Moscow is not serious about diplomacy but is looking for casus belli. #StandWithUkraine.”
4:11 p.m. ET, February 21, 2022
UK PM says Putin’s decision to recognize separatist Ukraine regions "ill omen and a very dark sign"
From CNN's Sharon Braithwaite in London
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson speaks during a press conference at the Downing Street Briefing Room on Monday February 21, in London. (Tolga Akmen/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday said Russian President Vladimir Putin's recognition of separatist regions of eastern Ukraine is a breach of international law, further calling Moscow's move an “ill omen and a very dark sign.”
"This is plainly in breach of international law. It's a violation, a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine," Johnson said during a news conference at Downing Street focused on Covid-19.
"It is a repudiation of the Minsk process and the Minsk agreements, and I think it's a very ill omen and a very dark sign," he said, adding that this is "yet another indication that things are moving in the wrong direction in Ukraine."
4:15 p.m. ET, February 21, 2022
Biden convened a call with France's Macron and Germany's Scholz this afternoon
From CNN's DJ Judd
(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The White House says US President Biden convened a secure call at 3:17 p.m. ET with French President Macron and German Chancellor Scholz, according to a pool report.
That follows a phone call he held with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky this afternoon.
Biden also conferred with top US officials at the White House as Russian President Vladimir Putin held a national security meeting and then signed decrees recognizing the independence of two Moscow-backed breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.
NATO chief condemns Russia’s recognition of separatist regions in Ukraine
From CNN’s James Frater in Lviv
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks at the Munich Security Conference on February 18. (Tobias Hase/picture-alliance/dpa/AP)
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday condemned Russia’s recognition of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, saying the move "further undermines" Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“I condemn Russia’s decision to extend recognition to the self-proclaimed 'Donetsk People’s Republic' and 'Luhansk People’s Republic.' This further undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, erodes efforts towards a resolution of the conflict, and violates the Minsk Agreements, to which Russia is a party,” Stoltenberg said in a statement.
Stoltenberg blamed Russia for “[continuing] to fuel the conflict in eastern Ukraine by providing financial and military support to the separatists," adding that Moscow “is also trying to stage a pretext to invade Ukraine once again.”
“In 2015, the United Nations Security Council, which includes Russia, reaffirmed its full respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Donetsk and Luhansk are part of Ukraine,” he continued.
Stoltenberg said NATO supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within "its internationally recognized borders," and said the alliance urges Russia “in the strongest possible terms, to choose the path of diplomacy, and to immediately reverse its massive military build-up in and around Ukraine, and withdraw its forces from Ukraine in accordance with its international obligations and commitments.”
5:04 p.m. ET, February 21, 2022
Biden plans to impose new restrictions on trade and financing in the two pro-Moscow territories
From CNN's Kevin Liptak
President Joe Biden speaks from the Roosevelt Room of the White House on February 18. (Oliver Contreras/Sipa/Bloomberg/Getty Images)
US President Biden plans to impose new restrictions on trade and financing in the two pro-Moscow territories that President Vladimir Putin decided to recognize as independent on Monday.
In a statement, the White House said Biden would sign an executive order that would “prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine.”
The order would also allow the US to impose sanctions on anyone operating in those areas. And the White House said it would “soon announce additional measures related to today’s blatant violation of Russia’s international commitments.”
“To be clear: these measures are separate from and would be in addition to the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with Allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki wrote in a statement.
Here's how former CNN Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty reacted to the White House announcement:
3:41 p.m. ET, February 21, 2022
UK foreign secretary condemns Putin's recognition of two separatist self-declared republics in eastern Ukraine
From CNN’s Vasco Cotovio
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has condemned the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize the independence of two separatist self-declared republics in Ukraine on her Twitter account on Monday.
“President Putin’s recognition of the ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’ and ‘Luhansk People’s Republics’ as independent states shows flagrant disregard for Russia’s commitments under the Minsk agreements. This step represents a further attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, signals and end to the Minsk process and is a violation of the UN Charter. It demonstrates Russia’s decision to choose a path of confrontation over dialogue. We will coordinate our response with Allies. We will not allow Russia’s violation of its international commitments to go unpunished,” the tweet read.
