West rails against Russian moves in Ukraine, calls for sanctions

BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER LIZ TRUSS:

"President Putin's recognition of the "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic" as independent states shows flagrant disregard for Russia's commitments under the Minsk agreements. This step ... signals an end to the Minsk process.

"It demonstrates Russia's decision to choose a path of confrontation over dialogue. We will coordinate our response with allies. We will not allow Russia's violation of its international commitments to go unpunished."

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON JEN PSAKI:

"We have anticipated a move like this from Russia and are ready to respond immediately.

"President Biden will soon issue an executive order that will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine."

NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JENS STOLTENBERG:

"Moscow continues to fuel the conflict in eastern Ukraine by providing financial and military support to the separatists. It is also trying to stage a pretext to invade Ukraine once again.

"This undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, erodes efforts towards a resolution of the conflict, and violates the Minsk Agreements, to which Russia is a party."

AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER MARISE PAYNE:

"The Australian government condemns President Putin’s declaration today that the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine are independent states.

"This flagrantly undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and has no validity under international law.

"We also condemn President Putin’s announcement that Russia is deploying so-called 'peacekeepers' to eastern Ukraine. These personnel are not peacekeepers.

"The Australian government is coordinating closely with the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and other governments around the world to ensure there are severe costs for Russia’s aggression.

"Along with our partners, we are prepared to announce swift and severe sanctions that would target key Russian individuals and entities responsible for undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.''