Boris Johnson denounces Ukraine’s ‘blatant violation of sovereignty’

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday denounced Russia’s recognition of the independence of Ukraine’s breakaway regions as a “flagrant violation of the country’s sovereignty” and announced “significant sanctions” against Moscow.

“It is clearly against international law. It is a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine, it is a rejection of the Minsk agreements,” Boris Johnson said during a press conference, considering it a “bad omen” of the situation in Ukraine. .

Johnson sees “indications that things are going in a bad direction in Ukraine” and said he will speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the evening.

British diplomat Liz Truss said the UK would enact new sanctions against Moscow on Tuesday “in response to its violation of international law and an attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

Shortly thereafter, a statement from Johnson’s office announced that he would impose “significant” new sanctions on Russia on Tuesday.

“The Prime Minister will chair a Cobra (crisis) meeting at 06:30 (GMT) on Tuesday morning to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine and coordinate the UK’s response, including a major sanctions package that will be presented immediately,” a statement noted. From Downing Street.

Cobra refers to the British Emergency Committee.

Focus

Two weeks ago, Russia massed tens of thousands of its soldiers on the border of Ukraine, which Western countries say are ready to invade the neighboring country.

Recognizing the independence of the two separatist regions of eastern Ukraine opens the way for Russian military mobilization at will.