BREAKING: Biden will SANCTION Ukrainian regions Putin declared independent and slams ‘blatant violation of international law’ after Russian leader called Ukraine a ‘US colony’ with a puppet regime’ who could soon have ‘weapons of mass destruction’
- President Joe Biden had a 35-minute call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday to ‘discuss the events of the last hours’
- He also convened a meeting with his National Security team Monday as Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a televised address
- Putin said he will sign a decree recognizing the Donetsk and Luhansk rebel regions in Eastern Ukraine as independent ‘republics’
- It paves the way for Putin to invade Ukraine on the basis of agreements with those ‘states’ to protect them from ‘genocide’ from Kyiv
- Also comes after the U.S. said this action would ‘necessitate a swift and firm response from the United States in full coordination with our Allies’
Joe Biden will issue sanctions on Russia Monday after President Vladimir Putin recognized two eastern regions of Ukraine as independent states in his first real move toward full-scale invasion.
‘We have anticipated a move like this from Russia and are ready to respond immediately,’ White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday.
‘President Biden will soon issue an Executive Order that will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine,’ she detailed.
The White House previewed that ‘the Departments of State and Treasury will have additional details shortly.’
‘We will also soon announce additional measures related to today’s blatant violation of Russia’s international commitments,’ Psaki added.
Biden almost immediately called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and convened a meeting of his National Security team after Vladimir Putin slammed the U.S. for ‘colonizing’ Ukraine and using it as a ‘puppet regime’ in remarks where he announced he would sign a decree recognizing eastern regions of Ukraine as independent states.
The president also hopped on a secure call with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz shortly after Putin’s remarks.
Psaki said there will be further measures taken in coordination with U.S. allies and partners if Russia further invades Ukraine.
‘We are continuing to closely consult with Allies and partners, including Ukraine, on next steps and on Russia’s ongoing escalation along the border with Ukraine,’ she write.
Zelensky said he discussed with Biden ‘the events of the last hours’.
‘We begin the meeting of the National Security and Defense Council,’ he posted, adding: ‘A conversation with [UK Prime Minister] Boris Johnson is also planned.’
The White House confirmed that Biden did have a roughly 35-minutes call with Zelelnsky.
Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff General Mark Milley, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were all spotted arriving at the White House West Wing Monday morning.
‘President Biden is meeting with his national security team at the White House today and is being regularly briefed on developments regarding Russia and Ukraine,’ a White House official confirmed.
Biden also convened with his National Security Council on Sunday to discuss the latest developments in Eastern Europe as the west was still hoping for a diplomatic path forward at that point.
Putin lamented that America is ‘pumping’ in weapons to Ukraine and said this also poses a threat to Russia and could lead to the creation of ‘weapons of mass destruction’.