  Biden orders sanctions after Putin recognizes Donetsk, Luhansk February 22, 2022 - 10:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The White House responded Monday, February 21 night to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize the independence of two breakaway regions of Ukraine, levying a number of sanctions on the region, CNBC reports. President Joe Biden signed an executive order that prohibits new investment, trade and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the "Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine". “To be clear: these measures are separate from and would be in addition to the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki wrote in a statement announcing the executive order. Psaki added that the Departments of State and Treasury will share additional details of the Biden administration’s actions. Putin’s decision to recognize the breakaway areas in the Donbas came in an hour-long televised address Monday evening. A senior Biden administration official described Putin’s address as “a speech to the Russian people to justify a war.” The official also said that the U.S. and its allies will continue to monitor Russia’s actions in the region and will respond appropriately should there be aggression against Ukraine. “We’re going to take additional sanctions actions tomorrow and if Russia takes further actions, I suspect there will be further responses to those actions. That’s how we have handled this until now and that is how we will continue to handle things going forward,” the official said. A UN Security Council official confirmed to NBC News that the group will hold an emergency meeting Monday at 9 p.m. ET. Russia currently holds the rotating presidency of the 15-member Security Council and will be running the meeting. Earlier on Monday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he requested the urgent meeting of the U.N. Security Council. Meanwhile, the State Department relocated diplomatic staff in Lviv, Ukraine to Poland on Monday evening. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had previously agreed to a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov this week. A senior Biden administration official declined Monday night to say if the meeting was still scheduled and referred questions on the matter to the State Department. Photo: Getty Images   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months  The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan.Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem."U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says.Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |
