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Last night, the Russian Senate approved Putin's request to send troops abroad.
Although President Putin denied that "we are not sending troops to Ukraine right now," European countries all at once began to impose additional sanctions on Russia.
Correspondent Lee Hyun-young.
<Reporter> The
Russian Senate unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin's request to send troops overseas, with 153 members attending.
Earlier, President Putin abruptly approved the independence of the pro-Russian rebel republic in the Donbas region, eastern Ukraine, ordered the entry of Russian troops, and then requested the Senate to approve the use of his troops abroad.
In response, Putin repeatedly denied the 'invasion' rumors, saying, "I am not trying to send troops to the Donbas region of Ukraine right now."
Nevertheless, he stressed that "we will provide military assistance at the request of the Republics of Donbas-Donetsk and Lugansk", adding that "it depends on the specific circumstances created on the site".
[Vladimir Putin/President of Russia: With respect to the dispute in the region, we make it clear that we are willing to fulfill our obligations if necessary.]
The European Union, Britain, Germany, and other major European countries have simultaneously launched sanctions against Russia.
At an emergency meeting held in Paris, France, the foreign ministers of EU member states unanimously agreed on proposals for Russian banks as well as individuals including members of the Russian House of Representatives.
[Ursula von der Leyen/Chairman of the European Commission: Our actions today are a response to Russia's aggressive actions.
If Russia continues to escalate this crisis, we are ready to take additional measures.]
Germany has made a decision to suspend the 'Nord Stream-2' gas pipeline project linking Russia and Germany, and the UK also has five Russian banks and President Putin. It said that it has decided to sanction three people, including businessmen who are close to the company.