In the face of heightened tensions in Ukraine, Russia has unilaterally endorsed the independence of areas virtually controlled by pro-Russian factions in eastern Ukraine and is ready to send military troops in the name of "peacekeeping."
Putin has not disclosed when to deploy his army, but has increased pressure on Ukraine.
Putin signed a presidential decree on the 21st to unilaterally approve the two eastern states of Ukraine, which are virtually controlled by pro-Russian factions, as independent states, and on the 22nd, after parliamentary proceedings. We are ready to send military troops to the field in the name of "peacekeeping".
President Putin, who had a press conference in Kremlin after this, said that the ceasefire agreement signed to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine was "already buried" and emphasized that the Ukrainian side had not implemented it. The state approval justified the de facto ceasefire.
In addition, he suggested that the range of the area where independence was approved this time is broader than the actual controlled area, based on the "Constitution" established by the local pro-Russian faction.
On the other hand, Putin said in response to a press question, "I'm not saying that military troops are heading right now," and declined to say when to deploy troops there.
Russia is laying the groundwork for the deployment and stationing of troops, such as making it possible to set up military facilities in controlled areas by concluding a treaty with pro-Russian factions, increasing pressure on Ukraine and restraining Europe and the United States. increase.
Russia Ukrainian embassy staff to evacuate
On the 22nd, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on its official website, announcing the evacuation of staff from embassies and consulates in Ukraine.
According to this, it is a measure to protect the lives and safety of local staff, even if they have been threatened with repeated violence or have their cars set on fire.
Prior to this, on the 12th of this month, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the United States and the United Kingdom were taking provocative actions against Russia, such as providing military support to Ukraine, and some staff members of embassies and consulates said. I was evacuating.
Ukrainian President "Considering the possibility of diplomatic severance"
Ukrainian President Oleksandr Zelensky said at a press conference on the 22nd, "We will also consider the possibility of breaking diplomatic relations with Russia."
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs allegedly recommended to President Zelensky to break diplomatic relations with Russia.
In addition, President Zelensky said, "As the Russian side knows, we have called for dialogue not only with the leaders of each country but also with Russia in various ways," and the situation is getting worse. He criticized the Russian side for not responding to the dialogue.
Ukrainians "What will happen in the future?"
At a checkpoint in Medica, a town in the southeastern part of Poland that borders Ukraine, we talked to Ukrainians who came to Poland for work.
Among them, a 47-year-old man said, "I never feel good. Russia's decision breaks the order of the world, and anyone can own their favorite land."
A 60-year-old man said, "I'm very sorry. I'm worried about what will happen to the residents of eastern Ukraine."
In addition, a 30-year-old man expressed his opposition to Russia, saying, "I don't know what will happen in the future, but I will follow the instructions given by the President of Ukraine. I will take weapons if I need to fight."
EU unanimous sanctions decision on Russia
The EU-European Union held an urgent foreign ministers' meeting and decided to impose sanctions on members of the Russian House of Representatives and Russian banks who supported the move.
The EU held an urgent foreign ministers' meeting in Paris, France, on the 22nd, amid heightened tensions in the situation in Ukraine.
At a press conference after the meeting, EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell revealed that member states had unanimously decided to sanction Russia, saying that "a series of sanctions will cause great pain to Russia." I emphasized the significance.
The sanctions were on the members of the Russian House of Representatives who supported the move towards unilateral approval of independence, and the Russian banks that supported it financially, including asset freezes in the EU and the EU. It is expected to be subject to a ban on travel to.
It also limits access to the EU's financial markets by the Kremlin and economic deals with the EU in regions where Russia unilaterally approves independence.
Senior Representative Borrell says that by cooperating with the United States and the United Kingdom, sanctions on Russia will be more effective.
Announcement of sanctions for businessmen close to Mr Putin
British Prime Minister Johnson announced sanctions on five Russian banks and three individuals, including a businessman close to President Putin, in the House of Representatives on the 22nd.
In addition to freezing the assets held by the three people in the UK, they are also prohibited from traveling to the UK, and if the situation worsens in the future, they will cooperate with the United States and the EU = European Union to prepare for further sanctions. It is said that.
"We need the tenacity, cohesion, and determination of all Western nations, and Britain will do everything to maintain cohesion," said Prime Minister Johnson, saying that Russia's invasion should never be justified. He emphasized the idea of continuing to support Ukraine.
“The preconditions have collapsed” without a meeting with the French Foreign Minister Russia
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has announced on the 22nd that he will not hold a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergeĭ Viklov on the 25th of this month in Paris.
Foreign Minister Le Drian said, "We had decided to hold a meeting if Russia did not invade Ukraine," and acknowledged that the Russian decision on eastern Ukraine broke the preconditions for the meeting.
EU Natural gas that relies on Russia for imports Secured from the United States and the Middle East
The EU depends on Russia for about 40% of its natural gas imports as of last month, and Russia could limit its gas supply to Europe as a countermeasure if the West imposes sanctions on Russia. I think.
For this reason, the EU said that it secured a record amount of LNG of about 10 billion cubic meters last month as a result of repeated discussions with the United States and Qatar in the Middle East and urgent measures such as securing LNG = liquefied natural gas. increase.
A spokesman for the EU-European Union also said that German Prime Minister Schortz has indicated that he would suspend the procedure for the operation of the new pipeline "Nord Stream 2" that sends natural gas from Russia to Germany. He acknowledged that there would be no direct impact on the current supply of gas to the EU as the pipeline is not yet in operation.
EU Chairman Ursula von der Leyen spoke at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on the 19th, emphasizing that "even if the supply of gas from Russia stops, it will be safe this winter." He acknowledged that it is necessary to diversify suppliers from the viewpoint of energy security and further promote the conversion to renewable energy.