The West’s fears have now accelerated as the Russian President, Vladimir Putin has signed a decree recognising the two breakaway regions in Ukraine, namely Luhansk and Donetsk which are collectively known as the Donbas region. This has further prompted the United States of America to impose sanctions on the area along with blocking trade and investment in the region.
The United Nations Security Council has also deliberated a meeting regarding the latest developments in the Russia vs Ukraine conflict.
The Donbas region which has now been recognised by Russia broke away from Ukraine in the year 2014 and had proclaimed its independence as Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic. Until Monday, they were not recognised but the President of Russia has signed a friendship and mutual assistance treaty with them, giving them recognition.
Putin while giving his speech said that Ukraine would be held responsible for any continued bloodshed if it did not cease military action in the region. His remark had come after the allegations put forward by Russia stating that Ukraine was preparing for an offensive against the separatist territories, which was denied by Kyiv.
The President of Russia has ordered the deployment of military troops to the region to maintain peace in the two areas. This action has been slammed by the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield who cited this incident as nonsense and said that President Putin has now torn the Minsk Agreement to shreds. She further stated that they had been clear that they never believed he would stop at that.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has released a statement accusing Russia of wrecking all the peace efforts that were made and of violating the territorial integrity of his nation. He further added that while his country was committed to a diplomatic and peaceful path, it will not be giving up on its land. President Joe Biden has also condemned this action by Russia and signed an executive order to block all trade and investment in the breakaway regions of Ukraine.
The actions of Russia were described as a blatant violation of Russia’s commitments to the international committee by the White House. The executive order signed by President Biden also gives authority for the imposition of sanctions on any individual determined to operate in those breakaway areas of Ukraine.
The United Kingdom responding to the events has also prepared to impose immediate sanctions against Russia and Prime Minister Boris Johnson was expected to take action in the meeting of the government’s COBR (Crisis Response Committee). Johnson also offered his defensive support to his Ukrainian counterpart through a call and said that he believed an invasion was a real possibility in the next couple of days.
India has also called for restraint on all sides at the emergency meeting of the UNSC stating that the rising of tensions along the borders of Ukraine with the Russian government was a matter of deep concern for the world. The statements made by India also mentioned that these developments have the potential to undermine the peace and security of the area. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN said that the immediate priority should be the de-escalation of tensions between the two countries taking into account the legitimate security concerns of all nations. He further added that the well-being of more than 20,000 students and Indian nationals in Ukraine was a priority.
