WASHINGTON – The White House said Monday afternoon it was ready to respond immediately to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize the independence of two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would sign an executive order that will “prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine.”
“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,” Psaki wrote in a statement.
Psaki added that the Departments of State and Treasury will share additional details of the Biden administration’s actions shortly.
Putin’s decision to recognize the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic, breakaway areas in the Donbas, came in an hour-long televised address Monday evening.
European leaders also condemned Putin’s announcement and issued fresh threats to respond to the “blatant violation of international law.”
“The [European] Union will react with sanctions against those involved in this illegal act. The Union reiterates its unwavering support to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” wrote European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel in a joint statement.
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