Russia after President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and ordered Russian troops to “maintain the peace” there.The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting Monday night at the request of Ukraine, the U.S.
and six other countries, where virtually all members condemned Putin’s move and Russia’s recent aggressions.No immediate actions were taken by the council, on which Russia currently holds the revolving-door presidency.
Putin recognizes independence of separatist Ukraine regions Ahead of the meeting, several Western nations said they are preparing sanctions that are separate from those that have been promised if the Russian military invades Ukraine.“Canada, with its partners and allies, will react firmly to this blatant disregard for international law,” Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said in a statement.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed Joly in his own statement, adding Canada “reject(s) and condemn(s) Russian decrees ordering military forces into Ukraine.”See below my statement on the situation in Ukraine.
pic.twitter.com/BapRl85PtH— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) February 21, 2022Joly said she has discussed coordinated sanctions with her European Union counterpart, Josep Borrell Fontelles.