White House Readies Sanctions After Putin Escalates Tensions In Fiery Speech

In a speech this afternoon, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his recognition of the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, a move that increases the chances of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, beyond Russia’s already boiling-over aggression toward the country in recent weeks.

Putin’s move was met with swift condemnation by President Biden. Shortly after Putin’s announcement, the White House announced that Biden will impose new sanctions on trade and financing in the two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine that Putin recognized as independent.