'Putin is struggling': US, Nato rejects Russia's annexation of 15% of Ukraine
India Today
US President Joe Biden rejected Russia's latest move in Ukraine and said the annexation shows signs that "Putin is struggling". Nato, too, rejected the "illegal land grab" and assured Ukraine of its full support.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) on Friday rejected Russia's "illegal and illegitimate" annexation of four regions of Ukraine, a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced it formally in a Kremlin ceremony.
"Nato allies do not and will not recognise any of these territories as part of Russia because this land grab is illegal and illegitimate," Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said in a press conference, hours after Ukraine sought an "accelerated" application to join the military alliance.
The US, which is a key Nato ally, said it is fully prepared to defend every inch of Nato territory. US President Joe Biden, announcing more sanctions on Russia, said, "America is fully prepared with our Nato allies to defend every single inch of Nato territory, so Mr. Putin, don't misunderstand what I'm saying. I have been in close touch with our allies. We're announcing new sanctions today as well."
Here are the top developments in the story.
More than seven months after Russia declared war on its neighbour Ukraine, Kremlin started the process of absorbing parts of the war-torn nation. With the latest move, Putin has proclaimed Russian rule over 15 per cent of Ukraine, a claim that has received outright rejection from Western countries.
Putin announces formal intergration of 4 provinces of Ukraine into Russia | Moscow controls 15% of Ukraine's territory#IndiaFirst @gauravcsawant pic.twitter.com/OyPq7Fwe1A
