Ukraine Crisis Deepens As Putin Recognises Independence Of Pro-Russian Territories

Moscow, February 22 (TNA) The Ukraine crisis which has the world leaders worried has further deepened. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a decree recognising the independence of the separatist-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas area.

According to a report carried by The New York Times, during a speech on Monday, the Russian president also demanded the end of Ukraine’s military operations in the separatist areas. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, called the move a “blatant” violation of international law, Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the Minsk agreements.

Putin’s decree includes an order for the Russian military to conduct peacekeeping operations in the separatist territories, according to multiple reports. The White House issued a statement on Monday announcing sanctions to come and an executive order to ban trade with Donetsk and Luhansk. EU and UK leaders also said they will announce sanctions on Russia in the coming days.