Recent legislation will be used to impose restrictions on people and organisations linked to Russia, the BBC understands. Government sources say sanctions would be “ratcheted up” in the event of a Russian incursion of Ukraine. The foreign secretary said Russia’s actions would not go “unpunished”.
Liz Truss confirmed sanctions would be announced on Tuesday in response to their breach of international law and attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”. Several of the UK’s western allies, the US, France and the European Union, made similar statements, condemning Mr Putin’s move and promising sanctions. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chair a Cobra emergency response meeting at 06:30 GMT on Tuesday.
A No 10 spokesman said the meeting would discuss the latest developments in Ukraine and co-ordinate the UK response, including agreeing on a “significant package of sanctions to be introduced immediately”. Mr Johnson told Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday evening that he believed an invasion was a real possibility in the coming hours and days, a Downing Street spokesperson said. In a phone call, the PM told Mr Zelensky he would “explore sending further defensive support to Ukraine” at the request of the country’s government, as well as detailing sanctions.
The spokesperson added: “The leaders agreed that the West needed to support Ukraine in the event of an invasion, but should continue to pursue a diplomatic solution until the last possible second. “Regardless of President Putin’s actions, the UK would be steadfast in its full support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the prime minister said.”
Hours earlier, Mr Putin signed a decree recognising the independence of the self-declared people’s republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine. Russian-backed rebels have been fighting Ukrainian forces in those regions since 2014 in a conflict that has claimed the lives of more than 14,000 people.
Mr Putin’s decision has been preceded by weeks of tensions and intense diplomacy over a build-up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s borders. Now western countries fear those military forces could cross Ukraine’s borders to occupy the rebel regions recognised by Mr Putin. The decree signed by Mr Putin says Russian armed forces will perform “peacekeeping functions” in Donetsk and Lugansk.
In a lengthy TV address, Mr Putin, appearing visibly angry at points, claimed “modern Ukraine was entirely created by Russia” and was part of its ancient lands. But in recent weeks, Russia has repeatedly denied it has plans to invade Ukraine and accused the West of “hysteria”.
Mr Putin delivered the speech as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was giving one of his own in Downing Street on measures to lift Covid-19 restrictions. Mr Johnson said Mr Putin’s decision to recognise the two separatist Ukrainian regions was “plainly in breach of international law” and a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty and integrity” of the country.
