Russia backs “independent” separatist regions in Ukraine, US warns “new sanctions”. What’s the fate of Biden-Putin summit?

• The White House issued a swift response to President Putin’s decision, with US President Joe Biden signing an executive order that prohibits any new investment, trade and financing by US individuals in the breakaway regions

• The US has, repeatedly, warned that an attack on Ukrainian soil would reap severe economic US sanctions

• Western officials have now warned that President Putin’s latest move to advance troops into Luhansk and Donetsk amounts to a precursor to a larger invasion

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops into the two breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraine. The order arrived only hours after the Russian president signed decrees recognising the independence of the two separatist regions, formalising the decision to send “peacekeeping forces” into the region. In an hour-long speech, President Putin embarked on a tirade against NATO and Western establishments for activities that he claimed have undermined Russian sovereignty. 

“I deem it necessary to make a decision that should have been made a long time ago and to immediately recognise the independence and sovereignty of Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic,” he said. 

The White House issued a swift response to President Putin’s decision, with US President Joe Biden signing an executive order that prohibits any new investment, trade and financing by US individuals in the breakaway regions. White House press secretary Jen Psaki also noted via a statement that the latest measures “are separate from and would be in addition to the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine.”

No presidential summit imminent

The latest development has muddied the waters over a proposed diplomatic summit between President Putin and his US counterpart, brokered by French President Emmanuel Macron. Russia has, reportedly, amassed over 130,000 troops along the Ukraine border – a clear indication, US officials allege, that Moscow intends to carry out an imminent invasion. 

The US has, repeatedly, warned that an attack on Ukrainian soil would reap severe economic US sanctions. Tensions have risen in recent days following Russian claims of Ukrainian provocation in the separatist regions which the US has alleged are false-flag operations intended to facilitate a justification for going to war. 

Western officials have now warned that President Putin’s latest move to advance troops into Luhansk and Donetsk amounts to a precursor to a larger invasion. However, as it stands, it remains unclear whether the military action that President Putin has already directed has queered the pitch for a diplomatic resolution between Washington and Moscow. 

The two countries had, originally, agreed to an in-principle presidential-level summit, however, the US has asserted it would only do so if Russia made commitments that it would not launch an invasion. Moscow has insisted that no invasion was being planned and, on Monday, cast doubt on the presidential summit materialising prior to President Putin’s latest decision, when the Kremlin called it “premature.” 

Moscow has remained unflinching in its stance that it would not tolerate what it believes is NATO’s continuing expansionist policies, calling for a legally-binding agreement to address Russia’s security concerns. 

However, the US and NATO are not prepared to consider this demand, insisting that NATO’s open-door policy will remain in place, enabling countries to make their own decisions regarding their foreign policy. It remains to be seen whether a compromise can be found in the form of a temporary moratorium on Ukraine’s entry into NATO.