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| Ukraine crisis: UK to sanction Russia over breakaway regions decision | Ukraine crisis: UK to sanction Russia over breakaway regions decision |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Vladimir Putin's decision came shortly before Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared at a news conference in Downing Street | Vladimir Putin's decision came shortly before Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared at a news conference in Downing Street |
| The UK government has said it will sanction Russia over President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognise two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. | The UK government has said it will sanction Russia over President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognise two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. |
| Recent legislation will be used to impose restrictions on people and organisations linked to Russia, the BBC understands. | 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. | 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". | 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". | 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. | 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 is chairing 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 a "significant package of sanctions to be introduced immediately". | A No 10 spokesman said the meeting would discuss the latest developments in Ukraine and co-ordinate the UK response, including agreeing 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. | 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. | 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. | 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." | "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." |
| Russia recognises Ukraine separatist regions | Russia recognises Ukraine separatist regions |
| Criss-crossing Ukraine with President Zelensky | Criss-crossing Ukraine with President Zelensky |
| Satellite images show Russian activity near Ukraine | Satellite images show Russian activity near Ukraine |
| Hours earlier, Mr Putin signed a decree recognising the independence of the self-declared people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Now western countries fear those military forces could cross Ukraine's borders to occupy the rebel regions recognised by Mr Putin. |
| Pro-Russian activists react in the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk following President Putin's announcement | |
| The decree signed by Mr Putin says Russian armed forces will perform "peacekeeping functions" in Donetsk and Lugansk. | 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. | 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". | 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 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. | 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. |
| Mr Johnson said the decision was a "very ill omen" that things were moving in the wrong direction in Ukraine. | Mr Johnson said the decision was a "very ill omen" that things were moving in the wrong direction in Ukraine. |
| "The UK will continue to do everything we can to stand by the people of Ukraine with a very robust package of sanctions," he said. | "The UK will continue to do everything we can to stand by the people of Ukraine with a very robust package of sanctions," he said. |
| He said it was becoming clear there was a need to "start applying as much pressure as we possibly can" because it was hard to see how the situation would improve. | He said it was becoming clear there was a need to "start applying as much pressure as we possibly can" because it was hard to see how the situation would improve. |
| Mr Johnson finished his news conference by saying he would talk to Mr Zelensky to offer him the UK's support. | Mr Johnson finished his news conference by saying he would talk to Mr Zelensky to offer him the UK's support. |
| Earlier this month, the UK government passed new legislation that expanded its powers to impose sanctions on those directly linked to Russian actions in Ukraine. | Earlier this month, the UK government passed new legislation that expanded its powers to impose sanctions on those directly linked to Russian actions in Ukraine. |
| The legislation gave the government powers to impose sanctions on Russian businesses and individuals in strategically significant sectors, such as the chemical, defence, extractives, ICT and financial services industries. | The legislation gave the government powers to impose sanctions on Russian businesses and individuals in strategically significant sectors, such as the chemical, defence, extractives, ICT and financial services industries. |