Ukraine-Russia, for the White House it is “invasion”: measures are on the way

Ukraine-Russia crisis, the White House spoke of Russian troops in the east of the country as an ” invasion ”. On Twitter, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki also announced “measures” that will be announced “today”. US President Joe Biden ” made it clear that if Russia invaded Ukraine, we would act with Germany to ensure Nord Stream 2 does not move forward. We have been in close consultation with Germany overnight and welcome their announcement. We will follow up on our measures today. ” Read also “I believe this is the beginning of an invasion, the new Russian invasion of Ukraine,” said White House Deputy Security Advisor Jonathan Finer, warning that “significant sanctions” are coming in response against the Russia. “You are already seeing the beginning of our response that we have said will be quick and severe”, added Finer interviewed by CNN, explaining that after the first measures announced yesterday, affecting investments in Donbass, other sanctions will arrive today that will strike ” Russia directly “. And after these Washington” reserves the right to impose other measures if Russia continues in this direction “, he continued. Finally, Joe Biden’s adviser said it makes no difference to talk about “invasion or the beginning of an invasion: an invasion is an invasion and this is in progress.” THE FIRST SANCTIONS – Russia’s recognition of the separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk “will not go unanswered”, the United States and several EU countries had immediately warned. And today the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced “the first round” of sanctions against Moscow. As the British leader himself explained in his speech to the municipalities, the sanctions concern five Russian banks: Rossiayaz Bank, Is Bank, General Bank, Promsvyazbank and Black Sea Bank. Restrictive measures have also been imposed on oligarchs Gennady Timchenko, Igor Rotenberg and Boris Rotenberg, whose UK assets have been frozen, Johnson explained, stressing that other sanctions will be imposed in the event of a “large-scale invasion”. The sanctions, explained the British premier, “will hit Russia very hard and there is much more we will do in the event of an invasion.” What is certain is that “Russian companies will be prevented from raising capital on the financial markets. of the United Kingdom. ” “Taking advantage of the fact that almost all foreign ministers are here, I have convened an emergency Foreign Affairs Council here in Paris, following the meeting on the Indo Pacific. It is an informal emergency council, a Gymnich, which will take decisions on the European response “to the latest moves by Russia, which will take the form of sanctions”, said High Representative Josep Borrell, in Paris. “The ministers – added Borrell – will discuss its scope, on my proposal. The sanctions are the responsibility of the Council, which decides on the proposal of the High Representative. The decision must be taken unanimously and I am sure it will be taken unanimously. It does not mean that today we will make all the decisions, but we will take the immediate ones “.” The Russian troops – he then stressed – have entered the Donbass, which we consider part of the Ukrainian territory. It is not a full invasion, but the Russian troops are on Ukrainian soil “. ” The unilateral attack on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and Russia’s total violation of international law justify new, severe sanctions, ” European Parliament President Roberta Mestola wrote on Twitter. ” We will not leave the Ukrainian people to their aggressors. The position of the European Parliament is clear: we are on the side of Ukraine ”, he added. The government of Kiev has called for the imposition of “harsh sanctions” against Russia in order to send “a clear signal” to Moscow on the inadmissibility of the recognition of the independence of the separatist regions of the east of the country. In a statement from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry released today, it is also stressed that “the time has come to act to stop Russian aggression and restore peace and stability to Europe.” “Ukraine condemns Russia’s decision to recognize the independence of the entities it created in the temporarily occupied territories, the so-called Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics “. “With this action, Russia has flagrantly challenged the fundamental norms and principles of international law, the UN charter and violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in its internationally recognized borders.” United Joe Biden has meanwhile already signed the executive order blocking investments, economic and financial activities in Donbass, after the recognition of Luhansk and Donetsk. The executive order prohibits new investment, trade and financing by US citizens in or from the so-called republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. This order will also give the authority to “impose sanctions on any person determined to operate in those areas of Ukraine”. The note released yesterday evening by the White House specifies that “these measures are outdated and will be an addition to the rapid and severe economic measures that we are preparing in coordination with allies and partners if Russia invades Ukraine”.