Moments after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he would recognize two separatist regions of eastern Ukraine, the U.S. and Europe responded.
The U.S. will announce new measures on Tuesday that are meant to hold Russia accountable for recognizing two separatist regions of eastern Ukraine, a senior administration official said."We strongly condemn President Putin’s decision to recognize the so-called “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” as “independent," said Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The executive order also authorizes sanctions against anyone who operates in those areas of Ukraine, according to the White House. Europe also said it would"react with sanctions" due to the"blatant violation of international law.” The sanctions will be imposedThe moves Monday ratchet up tensions between the West and Russia.