After Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized their independence, the United States announced on Tuesday the imposition of sanctions on the separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, warning of further sanctions against Russia if necessary. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated that President Joe Biden issued an executive order "prohibiting Americans from engaging in any new investment, trade, or financial operations to or from or within the so-called Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic in Ukraine." She added that the executive order allows for "sanctions on any person determined to operate" in these regions, noting that these sanctions are separate from those that Washington and its allies intend to impose "if Russia invades Ukraine."
Additionally, the U.S. administration deemed Moscow's recognition of the independence of the separatist regions in Ukraine a "blatant violation" of its international commitments.
**Sanctions on Moscow**
Simultaneously, a White House spokesperson told AFP that the U.S. is "coordinating with its allies and partners concerning this Russian announcement," emphasizing that new sanctions will be announced today against Moscow. A senior U.S. official confirmed on Friday that these sanctions would make Moscow "an outcast in the international community." It was also clarified that Russia would be "isolated from global financial markets and deprived of the most advanced technological resources."
**Concerns of an Imminent Invasion**
Washington had previously threatened that the "Nord Stream 2" gas pipeline, linking Russia to Germany via the sea, would not commence operations if Moscow proceeded to invade Ukraine. Notably, Putin's announcement comes as Western nations fear an imminent invasion of Ukraine, where over 150,000 Russian soldiers have been deployed at its borders, according to Washington, for weeks. It should be noted that the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk already have very limited relations with the United States. However, these sanctions could mark the beginning of a new phase in what may soon become the most dangerous confrontation between the West and Moscow since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
