Russia establishes relations with separatist Ukraine, US-EU launch sanctions

At a press conference held on February 22, US PresidentJoe Bidenhas condemned the decision of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to recognize the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk republics in the east.Ukraine, as well as deploying Russian troops there for “peacekeeping” purposes.

“If Russia goes further with this attack, we are prepared to go further with sanctions. Who does he think he is to declare recognition of some self-proclaimed state within the territory of a neighboring country? This is a violation of international law, and the international community needs to respond more strongly,” Al Jazeera news agency quoted Biden as saying.

The sanctions will target Russian government debt and two major financial institutions, including a military bank, according to President Biden. “This means we are cutting off the Russian government from Western finance. They can’t make money from Western countries, and they can’t trade their new debt in our markets or in Europe,” Biden added.

The European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell announced on the same day that the bloc's countries had agreed on sanctions aimed at "causing serious damage to Russia".

“These sanctions will be very damaging to Russia. There are 351 Russian State Duma members whose assets in Europe will be frozen, as well as a travel ban. The EU has also agreed to impose sanctions on 27 individuals and entities that have played a role in undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine,” Borrell told Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is ready to take further actions against Russia if it continues to increase its military activities in Ukraine.

“Our actions today are a response to Russia’s aggressive behaviour. If they continue to escalate the crisis, we are ready to take further actions in response. It is necessary for EU countries to reduce their dependence on Russian gas,” von der Leyen said at a press conference on February 22, Al Jazeera quoted her as saying.

The above sanctions were made by Western leaders in the context of Russian President Vladimir Putin announcing on February 21 the decision to recognize the independence of the two self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk in Eastern Ukraine, along with treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual aid between the Moscow government and these two regions.

In another development, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on February 22 that it had established diplomatic relations with the two self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine.

“According to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the agreement on establishing diplomatic relations at the embassy level between Russia and the two countries of Donetsk and Lugansk has been formalized from today, with the exchange of notes between the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Foreign Ministries of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics,” TASS news agency quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement as saying.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov later congratulated his Donetsk and Lugansk counterparts Natalia Nikonorova and Vladislav Deinego. “Russia aims to develop comprehensive cooperation with the Donetsk and Lugansk republics, including between foreign ministries, in the interests of our citizens, as well as to strengthen peace, stability and security in the region,” Lavrov said.