MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine after recognising them as independent on Monday, accelerating a crisis the West fears could unleash a major war.
A Reuters witness saw unusually large columns of military hardware moving through the breakaway city of Donetsk after Putin told Russia's defence ministry to send forces into the two regions to "keep the peace" in a decree issued shortly after announcing recognition for Russian-backed separatists there.
The moves drew U.S. and European condemnation and vows of new sanctions although it was not immediately clear whether the Russian military action would be regarded by the West as the start of a fullscale invasion. The area was already controlled by Russian-backed separatists and Moscow in practice.
There was no word on the size of the force Putin was dispatching, but the decree said Russia now had the right to build military bases in the breakaway regions and that the troops' mission would a peacekeeping operation.
In a lengthy televised address packed with grievances against the West, Putin, looking visibly angry, described Ukraine as an integral part of Russia's history and said eastern Ukraine was ancient Russian lands and that he was confident the Russian people would support his decision.
Russian state television showed Putin, joined by Russia-backed separatist leaders, signing a decree recognising the independence of the two Ukrainian breakaway regions -- the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic - along with agreements on cooperation and friendship.
Defying Western warnings against such a move, Putin had announced his decision in phone calls to the leaders of Germany and France earlier, both of whom voiced disappointment, the Kremlin said.
Moscow's action may well torpedo a last-minute bid for a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden to prevent Russia from invading Ukraine. The rouble extended its losses as Putin spoke, at one point sliding beyond 80 per dollar.
Biden responded by signing an executive order for a halt to all U.S. economic activity in the breakaway regions and a ban on import of all goods from those areas as well as investment there.
White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said the measures being rolled out in response to Putin's decree were separate from sanctions the United States and its allies have been readying if Russia invades Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the executive order "is designed to prevent Russia from profiting off of this blatant violation of international law."
The U.N. Security Council will meet publicly on Ukraine at 9 p.m. EST Monday (0200 GMT on Tuesday), a Russian diplomat said, following a request by the United States, Britain and France.
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 rebel regions, and British Foreign Minister Liz Truss said the government would announce new sanctions on Tuesday.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg accused Russia of "trying to stage a pretext" for a further invasion. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
In his address, Putin delved into history as far back as the Ottoman empire and as recent as the tensions over NATO's eastward expansion. His demands that Ukraine drop its long-term goal of joining the Atlantic military alliance have been repeatedly rebuffed by Kyiv and NATO states.
With his decision to recognise the breakaway regions, Putin brushed off Western warnings.
"I deem it necessary to make a decision that should have been made a long time ago - to immediately recognise the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic," Putin said.
He said earlier that "if Ukraine was to join NATO it would serve as a direct threat to the security of Russia."
SANCTIONS THREAT
Putin has for years worked to restore Russia's influence over nations that emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union, with Ukraine holding an important place in his ambitions.
Russia denies any plan to attack its neighbour, but it has threatened unspecified "military-technical" action unless it receives sweeping security guarantees, including a promise that Ukraine will never join NATO.
But recognition of the separatist-held areas paved the way for Putin to send military forces there, arguing that he was intervening as an ally to protect the separtists against Ukrainian forces.
Putin's move will narrow the diplomatic options to avoid war, since it is an explicit rejection of a seven-year-old ceasefire mediated by France and Germany, touted as the framework for future negotiations on the wider crisis.
Separately, Moscow said Ukrainian military saboteurs had tried to enter Russian territory in armed vehicles leading to five deaths, an accusation dismissed as "fake news" by Kyiv.
Both developments fit a pattern repeatedly predicted by Western governments, who accuse Russia of preparing to fabricate a pretext to invade by blaming Kyiv for attacks and relying on pleas for help from separatist proxies.
Moscow has said repeatedly it has no such plans.
Biden reaffirmed support for Ukraine's sovereignty in a call with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and also spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Hours earlier, Macron gave hope of a diplomatic solution, saying Putin and Biden had agreed in principle to meet.
But the Kremlin said there were no specific plans for a summit. The White House said Biden had accepted the meeting "in principle" but only "if an invasion hasn't happened".
Washington says Russia has massed a force numbering 169,000-190,000 troops in the region, including the separatists in the breakaway regions, and could invade within days.
European financial markets tumbled at the signs of increased confrontation, after having briefly edged higher on the glimmer of hope that a summit might offer a path out of Europe's biggest military crisis in decades. The price of oil - Russia's main export - rose, while Russian shares and the rouble plunged.
Reuters
Tue Feb 22 2022
![Putin orders Russian troops to Ukraine after recognising breakaway regions Putin orders Russian troops to Ukraine after recognising breakaway regions](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-02/61645494540_putin.jpg)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony to sign documents, including a decree recognising two Russian-backed breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent entities. - Sputnik/Alexey Nikolsky/Kremlin via REUTERS
![Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-03/81646741163_DatukWilliamNg.jpg)
Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA
SAMENTA menjangkakan rasionalisasi RON95 akan memberi impak yang lebih besar kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) berbanding pelarasan subsidi diesel.
![Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/71694910732_DatukArthurJoseph.jpg)
Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030
Malaysia menyasarkan pengeluaran 40 peratus hasil sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 dalam usaha membantu mengimbangi keperluan perikanan negara.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.
Lima terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang terbunuh dan puluhan lagi cedera dalam pertempuran antara pelajar yang memprotes sistem kuota dalam pekerjaan sektor awam dan polis di pelbagai bahagian Bangladesh pada Selasa.
Kerajaan cadang perkenal pembiayaan swasta
Kerajaan menyasarkan untuk memperkenalkan pembiayaan swasta alternatif bagi memastikan kemampanan kewangan program sektor air, sekali gus mengurangkan kebergantungan pada perbelanjaan kerajaan dan mengukuhkan daya tahan.
![13 maut, puluhan cedera ditembak secara rambang di sekolah 13 maut, puluhan cedera ditembak secara rambang di sekolah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-09/41664185231_pistol.jpg)
13 maut, puluhan cedera ditembak secara rambang di sekolah
Suspek yang menggunakan dua pucuk pistol itu juga dilaporkan membunuh diri selepas melepaskan tembakan secara rambang.
![Krisis Ukraine-Rusia: Apa punca sebenar? Krisis Ukraine-Rusia: Apa punca sebenar?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-02/71645308736_Ukrainianserviceman.jpg)
Krisis Ukraine-Rusia: Apa punca sebenar?
Prof Mizan berpendapat, ketegangan antara dua negara itu boleh dikurangkan sekiranya Ukraine menangguhkan hasratnya menyertai NATO.
![Krisis Rusia-Ukraine: Macron adakan pertemuan dengan Putin Krisis Rusia-Ukraine: Macron adakan pertemuan dengan Putin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-03/81616653212_EmmanuelMacron.jpg)
Krisis Rusia-Ukraine: Macron adakan pertemuan dengan Putin
Pemimpin Perancis itu berkata menyasarkan untuk "berdialog dengan Rusia dan mengurangkan ketegangan" melalui rundingan itu.
![Rusia arah jet pejuang iringi pesawat peninjau AS di Laut Hitam Rusia arah jet pejuang iringi pesawat peninjau AS di Laut Hitam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/61639224607_fighterjets.jpg)
Rusia arah jet pejuang iringi pesawat peninjau AS di Laut Hitam
Hubungan dua hala antara AS dan Russia berada pada tahap terendah sejak Kesatuan Soviet berpecah pada 1991.
![COVID-19: Kes positif cecah 202 juta dengan 4.2 juta kematian COVID-19: Kes positif cecah 202 juta dengan 4.2 juta kematian](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-06/41624353577_BRAZIL.jpg)
COVID-19: Kes positif cecah 202 juta dengan 4.2 juta kematian
Kes positif kini meningkat kepada 202 juta, dengan Amerika Syarikat kekal negara paling terjejas dengan lebih 35.7 juta kes.
![Olimpik Tokyo: Syaqiera Mashayikh pamer panahan cemerlang sebelum tewas Olimpik Tokyo: Syaqiera Mashayikh pamer panahan cemerlang sebelum tewas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-07/81627369785_TokyoSyaqiera.jpg)
Olimpik Tokyo: Syaqiera Mashayikh pamer panahan cemerlang sebelum tewas
Pemanah muda negara, Syaqiera Mashayikh, mempamerkan panahan cemerlang sebelum tewas 4-6 kepada peserta dari Jawatankuasa Olimpik Russia, Elena Osipova, dalam pusingan 32 acara recurve individu.
![Pesawat Rusia bawa 28 penumpang dilaporkan hilang Pesawat Rusia bawa 28 penumpang dilaporkan hilang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-07/41625557756_RUSSIA.jpg)
Pesawat Rusia bawa 28 penumpang dilaporkan hilang
Sebuah pesawat AN-26 Russia dengan 28 orang penumpang dilaporkan hilang di semenanjung Kamchatka di timur Russia, kata pihak berkuasa hari ini.
![Menuju puncak! Sara Sofea yang pernah tawan Gunung Elbrus raih 9A SPM Menuju puncak! Sara Sofea yang pernah tawan Gunung Elbrus raih 9A SPM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-06/51624334588_SPM.jpg)
Menuju puncak! Sara Sofea yang pernah tawan Gunung Elbrus raih 9A SPM
Ternyata penglibatan dalam aktiviti sukan lasak tidak menghalang remaja berusia 18 tahun ini mencatat keputusan cemerlang 9A dalam peperiksaan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), baru-baru ini.
![COVID-19: Kes jangkitan melebihi 141 juta, korban lebih 3 juta COVID-19: Kes jangkitan melebihi 141 juta, korban lebih 3 juta](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-02/81612134391_KematianCOVID.jpg)
COVID-19: Kes jangkitan melebihi 141 juta, korban lebih 3 juta
Angka kes positif kini meningkat kepada 141.01 juta, dengan Amerika Syarikat kekal negara paling terjejas dengan lebih 31.6 juta kes.
![Tahniah! Filem 'Belaban Hidup: Infeksi Zombie' muncul filem terbaik festival filem di Rusia Tahniah! Filem 'Belaban Hidup: Infeksi Zombie' muncul filem terbaik festival filem di Rusia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-03/61616905648_BALABANHIDUPINFEKS.jpg)
Tahniah! Filem 'Belaban Hidup: Infeksi Zombie' muncul filem terbaik festival filem di Rusia
Filem indie, 'Belaban Hidup: Infeksi Zombie' memenangi kategori Filem Terbaik dan Filem Seram Terbaik di International Symbolic Art Film Festival (ISAFF) di St Petersburg, Rusia.