US Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Tuesday that Washington intends to impose new sanctions against Russia after its decision to recognize the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region.
"The US will impose sanctions on Russia, on Tuesday, for this clear violation of international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," Thomas said during the UN Security Council emergency meeting on Ukraine.
"We can, will, and must stand united in our calls for Russia to withdraw its forces, return to the diplomatic table and work toward peace," she added.
It is worth mentioning that, Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Monday, signed a decree as he recognized the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region.
In an address broadcast on state-run television, Putin said: “I believe it is necessary to take a long-overdue decision, to immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic.”
Following the hour-long speech, Putin stated that if Ukraine did not “immediately” end military operations in its eastern regions, Kyiv would hold “all responsibility for the possible continuation of bloodshed”
The Russian leader has previously stated that there are no prospects for implementing the 2015 Minsk peace accord to end the conflict with Ukraine.
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