Washington imposes sanctions on the separatist regions of eastern Ukraine

The United States announced the imposition of sanctions on the two pro-Moscow separatist regions in eastern Ukraine after their independence was recognized by Russian President Vladimir Putin, vowing to impose additional sanctions if necessary.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden will issue an executive order "prohibiting Americans from conducting any new investment, commercial, or financing operations in, from, or within the so-called Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic of Ukraine."

She added that the executive order authorizes "the imposition of sanctions against anyone who resolves to operate in these areas," noting that these sanctions are separate from those that Washington and its allies intend to impose "if Russia invades Ukraine."

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