The Western community of states is announcing the initial reactions to Russia’s recognition of the self-proclaimed pro-Russian people’s republics in Ukraine. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) called the decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin a “blatant breach of international law”. The recognition of the breakaway regions was also “a heavy blow for all diplomatic efforts to settle the current conflict peacefully and politically,” explained the Foreign Minister and made it clear: “We will react to this breach of international law. We are coordinating this with our partners. “
The United States and the EU want to react to Vladimir Putin’s decision with sanctions. The punitive measures should hit those involved in the action, said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel on Monday evening. The President of the Commission and the President of the Council assessed Putin’s actions in identical terms first reactions on twitter as a massive violation of international law, territorial integrity of Ukraine and the Minsk Agreement. The European Union and its partners would respond with one voice and with great determination and severity, they announced in their tweets.
The US government will also react to Russia’s decision with sanctions. US President Joe Biden will issue a corresponding order shortly, said White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki on Monday. The measures would affect, among other things, investments or trade by US persons with a view to Donetsk and Luhansk.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the Russian actions in no uncertain terms. The government in Moscow is further intensifying the conflict with Ukraine. Russia is trying to stage a pretext to invade Ukraine again, Stoltenberg said. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would speak to Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelenskyy and offer him British assistance. Britain’s Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she would not allow Russia’s violation of international agreements to go unpunished.
On Monday evening, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the breakaway so-called People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, which are ruled by Russian separatists but belong to Ukrainian territory. With this step, Putin could construct a justification for stationing Russian troops in these areas.
Shortly before the recognition, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) called Putin on Monday and, according to the government, warned him about the step. The Chancellor accordingly condemned the plans to recognize the so-called People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states. Such a step would be in blatant contradiction to the Minsk agreements on the peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine and would be a unilateral breach of these agreements by Russia.