London, Europe Brief News – The European Union (EU) threatened to impose sanctions on Moscow after it recognises breakaway Ukrainian regions.
Russia has earlier ordered troops into two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine run by Moscow-backed separatists.
It comes after President Vladimir Putin recognised the two breakaway regions in Donetsk and Luhansk as independent.
Russia said the troops will perform “peacekeeping functions”, which the US has said is “nonsense”.
The US has imposed sanctions against the rebel territories, banning US citizens from any new investment, trade or finance there.
EU leaders also denounced Putin’s recognition of breakaway Ukraine regions and call for emergency UN session
“We will also soon announce additional measures related to today’s blatant violation of Russia’s international commitments,” the White House spokesperson, Jen Psaki, said.
In a fiery televised speech on Monday, Putin argued Ukraine has no history of being a true nation.
Ukraine’s President Zelensky, in his own late-night speech, said Ukraine is not afraid and will not yield anything to anyone.
The US and its allies rang the alarm that Russia could invade Ukraine, with countries ordering citizens to leave Kyiv.
The Kremlin has dismissed Western “hysteria” over a feared Russian invasion of Ukraine with more than 100,000 troops amassed on three sides of Ukraine.
