Joe Biden on Russia’s threat to Ukraine: “This is a flagrant violation of international law and demands a firm response from the international community”

UPDATE, 1620 GMT:

The European Union has adopted additional sanctions against Russia, citing “the decision by the Russian Federation to proceed with the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities, and the subsequent decision to send Russian troops into these areas”.

UPDATE, 1600 GMT:

Ukraine’s Digital Transformation Minister has confirmed a denial-of-service cyber-attack on the country’s banks.

Ukrainian state websites, including the homepages of the Government and the Foreign Ministry, were also knocked off-line.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry, army, and banks were also attacked last week.

UPDATE, 1300 GMT:

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has assailed UN Secretary General António Guterres for daring to criticize Moscow’s recognition of its proxy groups in eastern Ukraine as “republics”.

Guterres added that he does not accept Vladimir Putin’s description of any Russian troops who cross the border as “peacekeepers”.

Significantly Lavrov’s verbal attack came in a meeting with the UN’s envoy on Syria, where Russia has been propping up the Assad regime.

The UN Secretary General whom you are representing turned out to be susceptible to pressure by the West and recently made several statements incompatible with his status and his authority under the UN Charter.

UPDATE, 1110 GMT:

China has objected to international sanctions on Russia over Moscow’s threatened invasion of Ukraine.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying accused the US of creating “fear and panic” by providing defensive weapons to Ukraine.

There was no mention of almost 200,000 Russian troops surrounding Ukraine, or efforts by the US and other countries for a diplomatic resolution.

Hua said, “China has been calling on all parties to respect and pay attention to each other’s legitimate security concerns, work together to solve problems through negotiations and consultations, and maintain regional peace and stability.”

UPDATE, 1020 GMT:

Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council has asked Parliament to declare a state of emergency throughout the country.

Parliament has approved sanctions on 351 Russians, including legislations who supported the recognition of Russian proxy groups as “republics” in eastern Ukraine.

From Ukraine’s Foreign Minister:

UPDATE, 1015 GMT:

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck says the country can cope with the loss of Russian gas through the suspended Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Habeck admitted there would be a “big hole” in supplies that would initially “drive prices higher”. However, Germany would be “compensated” with other energy sources and suppliers, including an acceleration of plans for renewables.

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline would have raised German consumption of gas from Russia to 70% of supplies.

Standing alongside French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock explained, “For us as the German government, it was important to show that for a free and democratic Ukraine, we are willing to also accept consequences for our national economy. Peace and freedom in Europe don’t have a price tag.”

UPDATE, 0900 GMT:

Donald Trump has said that Vladimir Putin is a “genius” and that the US should occupy part of Mexico, just as Russia is threatening an occupation of Ukraine.

Trump said on a conservative radio show on Tuesday:

Putin is now saying, “It’s independent,” a large section of Ukraine. I said, “How smart is that?” And he’s going to go in and be a peacekeeper. That’s the strongest peace force I’ve ever seen. There were more army tanks than I’ve ever seen. They’re going to keep peace, all right. No, but think of it. Here’s a guy who’s very savvy.

Trump added, “We could use that on our southern border.”

ORIGINAL ENTRY: As US President Joe Biden cited the “beginning of a Russian invasion” of Ukraine, the US, European Union, UK, Canada, and Australia started the escalation of sanctions on Moscow.

The escalation followed Vladimir Putin’s confirmation, after a series of confusing statements, that Russia will recognize the authority of its proxy groups — the Donetsk and Luhansk “People’s Republics” — across all of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts (provinces) in eastern Ukraine.

Currently, Russian-backed militias hold only 1/3 of the area.

See also EA on The Pat Kenny Show and India’s CNN 18: Putin Approaches Invasion of Ukraine

“No One Should Be Fooled”

Biden said in an address from the White House:

I’m going to begin to impose sanctions in response far beyond the steps we and our allies and partners implemented in 2014. And if Russia goes further with this invasion we stand prepared to go further as with sanctions. Who in the Lord’s name does Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called countries on territory that belonged to his neighbors?…

None of us, none of us should be fooled. None of us will be fooled. There is no justification.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken followed up in a press conference:

His plan all along has been to invade Ukraine; to control Ukraine and its people; to destroy Ukraine’s democracy, which offers a stark contrast to the autocracy that he leads; to reclaim Ukraine as a part of Russia.

That’s why this is the greatest threat to security in Europe since World War II.

Blinken added that he is cancelling a Friday meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Paris: “Now that we see the invasion is beginning and Russia has made clear its wholesale rejection of diplomacy it does not make sense to go forward that meeting at this time.”

Sanctions Led By Nord Stream 2 Suspension

Biden announced a “first tranche” of new sanctions on Russia, extending those imposed in 2014 after Moscow occupied Ukraine’s Crimea.

He cited restrictions on “two large Russian financial institutions, VEB and their military bank”; on Russia’s financing of sovereign debt; and on “Russia’s elites and their family members”.

The European Union blacklisted 27 Russian entities and individuals. The UK introduced sanctions on five Russian banks and three individuals connected with Putin. Australia and Canada also announced their first steps, including the severing of trade links with the Russian proxy areas in Ukraine, banning the purchase of Russian sovereign debt banned, and sanctioning Russian MPs and state-backed banks.

Japan announced restrictions on Russian state bonds, trade, and people linked to proxy “republics”. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, “We strongly urge Russia to return to diplomatic process in resolving the development.”

Foreign Minister Liz Truss said the UK, where Russian businessmen and Putin allies have extensive holdings, is willing to “[turn] up the heat” on a “long list” of people complicit in Putin’s actions. She said there were other “measures to limit Russia’s ability to trade and prohibit a range of high-tech exports, degrading the development of its military industrial base for years”.

Australia and Canada also pointed to further action if needed. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, “Australians always stand up to bullies, and we will be standing up to Russia.” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited Putin’s “threat to the security and stability of the region and the international rules-based order”.

But the most significant announcement came from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who confirmed that Germany will indefinitely suspend the operations of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia.

The pipeline was completed last autumn, but had been held by a German court ordering regulatory compliance. Russia would have earned billions of dollars annually from the supply of gas.

Ukraine Calls Up Reservists

In a national address on Tuesday evening, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called up Ukraine’s reservists but ruled out a general mobilisation.

Zelenskiy said it was necessary to “increase the readiness of the Ukrainian army for all possible changes in the operational situation….We need to promptly replenish the Ukrainian army and other military formations.”

If we remain silent today, we will disappear tomorrow. We have hard work ahead, every day, but we are read for it, with confidence in ourselves, our country, and victory.

With Ukraine losing up to $3 billion per month, Zelenskiy set out a plan of “economic patriotism” with tax incentives and a stimulus program for manufacturers and banks.

According to recent assessments, Ukraine’s economy is losing up to $3 billion per month as a result of the crisis, a number that is likely to rise as international airlines cancel flights amid concerns over a full-scale Russian invasion.