US Prohibits Trade, Investments In Regions Of Ukraine Declared 'Independent' By Putin
The White House described the Russian actions as a blatant violation of Moscow's international commitments, said that economic sanctions are in the pipeline.
New Delhi: US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order which blocks trade and investment in parts of Ukraine that have been recognised as independent by his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
According to PTI the Press Secretary of the White House Jen Psaki said, "The Executive Order signed by Biden prohibits new investment, trade and financing by US persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine"
The White House described the Russian actions as a blatant violation of Moscow's international commitments, said that economic sanctions are in the pipeline. This move came as Putin escalated the Ukrainian crisis by recognising these two Russian separatist-held regions in Ukraine as independent.
Psaki said, "We have anticipated a move like this from Russia and are ready to respond immediately". The executive order provides authority to impose sanctions on any person determined to operate in those areas of Ukraine, the press release said.
"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", Psaki said PTI reported.
She added, that the US is continuing to closely consult with allies and partners, including Ukraine, on the next steps and on Russia's ongoing escalation along the border with Ukraine.
On Monday President Biden spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the ongoing escalation along the borders of Ukraine by Russia.
All the leaders condemn Russian President Putin's decision recognising Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) and the Luhansk People's Republic (LNR) regions of Ukraine as independent and the leaders how they will continue to coordinate their response on next steps during their meeting.
Biden also spoke with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Strongly condemning Putin's move decision to purportedly recognise the independence of the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine, Biden further updated President Zelenskyy of the United States' response & the sanctions it plans to issue.
Biden reiterated that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, in lock-step with its allies and partners, to further Russian aggression against Ukraine, the PTI report said.
In a joint statement issued by the House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul and House Armed Services Committee Lead, Republican Mike Rogers demanded that the US must immediately impose real costs for this blatant act of aggression and flagrant violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"Unfortunately, the sanctions previewed by the White House thus far are the definition of impotence. With reports that Putin is now sending troops into the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk under the guise of ‘peacekeepers,’ now is not the time for symbolic pinpricks that will serve only to embolden Putin and endanger our friends in Ukraine", McCaul & Rogers said in the statement.
Now is the time for President Biden to impose sanctions that strike at the heart of the Russian economy, and permanently end Nord Stream 2 once and for all, as he promised the world he would do, the two Republicans added.