UN, EU condemn Russia’s recognition of breakaway Ukraine regions

United Nations Security Council members have condemned Russia’s recognition of Lugansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine as independent nations.

Russia backs separatists fighting for independence of the two regions from Ukraine and in unprecedented move on Monday, President Vladimir Putin recognized Lugansk and Donetsk as sovereign states and ordered troops over the Ukrainian border into Moscow-controlled territories in the east of the country.

With reports of Russian armoured columns advancing into the Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the guise of “peacekeepers” in the Russian-backed enclaves, the US imposed some limited sanctions and warned more would come on Tuesday. The UK is also due to unveil its own package of punitive measures.

At the UN, Ukraine’s permanent representative, Sergiy Kyslytsya, compared Putin’s decrees recognising separatist regions in Ukraine to one for Georgia in 2008, saying: “The copying machine in the Kremlin works very well. Who is the next among the members of the UN?”

It was at the UN that Russia felt its isolation most keenly, as three African council members: Kenya, Gabon and Ghana, spoke out against Moscow’s actions for violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity. A few weeks earlier, Kenya and Gabon had abstained on a Ukraine-related vote.

On Monday night, Kenya’s permanent representative, Martin Kimani, delivered a powerful address, suggesting Russia learn to live with ethnic grievances just as African states have done.

“Kenya and almost every African country was birthed by the ending of empire. Our borders were not of our own drawing,” Kimani said. “Had we chosen to pursue states on the basis of ethnic, racial or religious homogeneity, we would still be waging bloody wars these many decades later.”

“We rejected irredentism and expansionism on any basis, including racial, ethnic, religious or cultural factors. We reject it again today,” he concluded.

Russia, which currently chairs the Security Council, had tried to hold the late night meeting behind closed doors, but was overruled by a majority of council members.

Vasily Nebenzya, the Russian permanent representative repeated Moscow’s unfounded claims that Ukraine was about to launch an attack on the eastern Moscow-backed enclaves, presented as a pretext for sending in Russian troops.

European Condemnation

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg accused Russia of continuing to fuel the conflict in eastern Ukraine and “trying to stage a pretext” for an invasion.

“I condemn Russia’s decision to extend recognition to the self-proclaimed ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’ and ‘Lugansk People’s Republic’,” Stoltenberg said in a statement.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said European Union countries have agreed to impose a limited set of sanctions “targeting those who are responsible” for Russia’s recognition of the breakaway regions.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “I think it’s a very ill omen and a very dark sign.”

British foreign minister Liz Truss said in a Twitter post that on Tuesday the government will announce new sanctions on Russia in response to Putin’s decision.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesman said Germany, France and the United States have agreed to respond to Russia’s decision.

Biden to impose sanctions on breakaway regions

The US said it would soon issue an executive order prohibiting new investment, trade, and financing by Americans to, from, or in the two breakaway regions.

“We have anticipated a move like this from Russia and are ready to respond immediately,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psak said in a statement.

“To be clear: these measures are separate from and would be in addition to the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with Allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine.”

Japan will likely join US-led sanctions on Russia, including a ban on chip and other key technology exports, should Putin order an invasion of Ukraine, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Tuesday.