Tue 22 February 2022:
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said his countrymen ‘are not afraid’ after Russia moved to recognise the independence of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine and hours later said it would deploy troops there to “maintain peace”.
An urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council took place on the deepening Ukraine crisis as the US said the announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin was an “unprovoked violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
Speaking at a presser after Russia’s move to recognise the independence of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said: “We are on our own land. We are not afraid of anything or anyone.”
“We owe nothing to anyone. And we will not give anything to anyone,” he added.
Amnesty calls on all parties to respect human rights law
Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard called for the protection of civilians in Ukraine as an “absolute priority”.
“While the potential for full-blown conflict is now a devastating reality, every effort must be made to minimise civilian suffering and prioritise humanity in this crisis. It is a legal obligation of all parties to do so,” she added.
She also urged all parties to ensure the protection of civilian lives and refrain from indiscriminate attacks or the use of prohibited weapons.
“We also call on all parties to allow and facilitate access of humanitarian agencies to provide assistance to civilians affected by hostilities,” said Callamard.
Security Council members express deep concern at Russia moves
Representatives from Albania, France, India and Brazil have addressed the meeting.
All have expressed deep concern about the latest developments in Ukraine, stressing the need for de-escalation and diplomatic dialogue.
Albania’s representative was particularly vehement in his condemnation, noting that Moscow had made similar moves in Georgia in 2008 and Crimea.
“Who will be next?” Ferit Hoxha asked. “Every UN state should be alarmed.”
US says “no one can stand on the sidelines”
US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield has just finished addressing the council.
She has urged the UN to come together and condemn Russia’s move.
“No one can stand on the sidelines,” she said, stressing Moscow’s actions in Ukraine represent “an attack on every UN member state and the UN charter”.
She earlier told the meeting that Putin was wanting a return to the past.
“Putin wants the world to travel back in time, to a time before the United Nations, to a time when empires ruled the world,” she said. “It is not 1919, it is 2022.”
Biden signs ‘executive order’ on sanctions targeting rebel regions
US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to ban all new investment, trade and financing by US citizens to, from, or in the so-called “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” regions of Ukraine.
“The E.O. is designed to prevent Russia from profiting off of this blatant violation of international law. It is not directed at the people of Ukraine or the Ukrainian government and will allow humanitarian and other related activity to continue in these regions,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
He says the US will work with Ukraine and its allies to take action in response to Putin’s declaration of the eastern rebel regions as “independent”.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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