Biden blocks trade in parts of Ukraine recognised as independent by Russia

US President Joe Biden on Monday signed an executive order blocking trade and investment in parts of Ukraine that have been recognised as independent by his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin The White House which described the Russian actions as blatant violation of Moscows international commitments said that economic sanctions are in the pipelineThe move came as Putin escalated the Ukrainian crisis by recognising two Russian separatistheld regions in Ukraine as independent We have anticipated a move like this from Russia and are ready to respond immediately White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki saidThe Executive Order signed by Biden prohibits new investment trade and financing by US persons to from or in the socalled DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine she said The executive order also provides authority to impose sanctions on any person determined to operate in those areas of UkraineTo be clear these 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 she said adding that the US is continuing to closely consult with allies and partners including Ukraine on next steps and on Russias ongoing escalation along the border with Ukraine Biden on Monday spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about Russias ongoing escalation along the borders of UkraineThe leaders strongly condemned President Putins decision to recognise the socalled DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine as independent They discussed how they will continue to coordinate their response on next steps the White House said Soon thereafter Biden also spoke with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrityBiden strongly condemned Russian President Putins decision to purportedly recognise the independence of the socalled DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine He updated President Zelenskyy on the United States response including our plan to issue sanctions the White House said Biden reiterated that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively in lockstep with its allies and partners to further Russian aggression against Ukraine it addedIn a joint statement House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul and House Armed Services Committee Lead Republican Mike Rogers demanded that the US must immediately impose real costs for this blatant act of aggression and flagrant violation of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity Unfortunately the sanctions previewed by the White House thus far are the definition of impotence With reports that Putin is now sending troops into the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk under the guise of peacekeepers now is not the time for symbolic pinpricks that will serve only to embolden Putin and endanger our friends in Ukraine they said Unfortunately the sanctions previewed by the White House thus far are the definition of impotenceNow is the time for President Biden to impose sanctions that strike at the heart of the Russian economy and permanently end Nord Stream 2 once and for all as he promised the world he would do the two Republicans saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever