WASHINGTON: Reacting to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin signed treaties to annex four regions — Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, and Zaporizhzhia, the United States while blaming former for violating international laws has sanctioned 1000 Russian citizens.
The sanctioned individuals included Russia’s Central Bank governor as well as the families of National Security Council members. US President Joe Biden said, “Russia is violating international law, trampling on United Nations charter, and showing its contempt for peaceful nations everywhere.”
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday said, “Putin has mobilised hundreds of thousands of more troops, engaged in irresponsible nuclear saber rattling and now illegally annexed more Ukrainian territory. Together, this represents the most serious escalation since the start of the war.”
Announcing the annexation at St George’s Hall of the Kremlin, with hundreds of dignitaries present, Putin on Friday said, “We will defend our land by all means. This is the liberation mission of the Russian people.” Meanwhile, Uk also asserted that Kyiv wouldn’t negotiate with Russia, which initiated a “special military” action against Ukraine, as long as Vladimir Putin was in power.