Alwaght- Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine has drawn condemnation, with the US and its European allies poising to announce harsh new sanctions against Moscow.
Late on Monday, Putin ordered troops to “maintain peace” in the breakaway regions of Luhansk and Donetsk.
In response, the US announced financial sanctions against the rebel territories and warned that more were ready if necessary.
Britain, France and Germany also agreed to respond with sanctions, with Britain and the US saying they would announce further measures on Tuesday.
"The United States will impose sanctions on Russia for this clear violation of international law and Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity," Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters after an emergency meeting of the Security Council late on Monday.
"We can, will, and must stand united in our calls for Russia to withdraw its forces, return to the diplomatic table and work toward peace."
Britain said it had drawn up sanctions to target those complicit in the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and those measures would come into force on Tuesday.
The Russian UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, warned Western powers to "think twice" and not worsen the situation.
