Beginning of Russian invasion? Ukraine calls US sanctions on Russia a strong 'first move' | TOP POINTS
India Today
After Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops into eastern Ukraine, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken said it was the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, the United States, Germany, Britain and now Japan have announced sanctions on Russia. Here are all the top developments in 10 points:
The East-West faceoff over Ukraine escalated dramatically this week with Russian lawmakers authorising President Vladimir Putin to use military force outside his country.
Amid simmering tensions, the United States, Germany, Britain and now Japan have announced sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine.
Reacting to this, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called Biden's move to impose sanctions against Russia a strong "first move". He also urged the world to respond with all its economic might to punish Russia for the crimes it has already committed and ahead of the crimes it plans to commit.
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"Hit Russia's economy now and hit it hard," news agency PTI quoted Dmytro Kuleba as saying.
Meanwhile, top world leaders termed Moscow's moves an unacceptable violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and international law.
1. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees to recognise Ukraine's regions of "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics" as "independent". This move escalated the tension in the region, increasing fears of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Vladimir Putin also ordered Russian troops into eastern Ukraine in what the Kremlin called a "peacekeeping" mission in the Moscow-backed regions.
