Tensions on the Ukraine-Russia border are rising. Russian separatists claimed today (Tuesday) that Ukrainians had detonated a bomb in the Donetsk region, killing three civilians in an exchange of gunfire. A report in the Interfax news agency has no evidence and no response has been received from Ukraine. At the same time, British Health Minister Sajid Javid said this morning that the Russian invasion of Ukraine had begun. In a conversation with Sky News, he threatened: “Britain will impose sanctions on Russia.”
In the early hours of the night, after officially recognizing their independence, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the deployment of “peacekeeping forces” in the separatist districts of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine. Eyewitnesses claimed to have seen tanks in Donetsk, but did not confirm that they were Russian army tanks. Although in the past there were Russian forces in the area, in the West Putin’s move is seen as one that increases tensions on the ground.
After Putin’s speech in which he declared that Russia officially recognizes the separatist provinces as independent, US President Joe Biden spoke during the night with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zlansky, French President Emanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Schultz. “Ukraine’s international borders will remain as they are and the Russian declarations will not change,” Zlansky said in a speech to the nation.
He further said that Russia violates Ukrainian sovereignty, does not comply with existing agreements, and destroys diplomacy efforts. “We are ready for anything and for a long time. We want peace and support diplomacy, but the Russian decision destroys it. We are not afraid of everyone and nothing is given to anyone.”
The White House later said Biden spoke with Zalanski and condemned Putin’s decision. “Biden has strongly condemned Russian President Putin’s decision to recognize the ‘independence’ of some of Ukraine’s separatist regions. The president is discussing with Emanuel Macron and Olaf Schultz how to continue to coordinate their response to the next steps.” The White House has officially announced that new sanctions will be imposed on Russia in the next 24 hours. “We are coordinating with the Allies and our partners regarding this announcement,” it said.
(CNN report)