Putin Orders Peacekeepers in to DPR/LPR; West Discusses Sanctions Packages

LOCAL NEWS

• Putin orders peacekeepers to enter the DPR & LPR following their recognition as independent states yesterday – also recognising their claims over more land in Donetsk & Lukansk Oblasts. US labelled these peacekeeping missions as “nonsense” and said it would coordinate sanctions with its allies today.
  • The US said, however, that the broader sanctions package (potentially including SWIFT) would not be imposed as the LPR & DPR did not constitute a further invasion of Ukraine. UNSC members cast doubt on Putin’s claims that Russian troops, saying this markets a pretext for war. - IFX
• Under the treaties Putin signed on Monday with the two self-declared republics, Russia can both send troops and build military bases in the breakaway zones, according to texts submitted to parliament for ratification.
  • Forces could be deployed to the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics “to maintain peace in the region and ensure reliable security,” including joint patrolling of borders and defense in the case of attack.
  • Agreements don’t specify what the borders of the territories are, however, and whether they include more Ukrainian lands claimed by the separatists but not currently under their military control. – bbg, Express
• Biden signed an executive order to prohibit trade and investment between US individuals and the LPR & DPR. Ukraine’s Zelensky said it is not afraid of anything, and the recognition is a violation of sovereignty. “All responsibility for the consequences lie on Russia’s leadership.” He said Ukraine remains committed to the diplomatic path and called for calm - bbg
• EU members are set to meet today to discuss sanctions, although it could take days to finalize a package of measures. Some European nations have been wary of the economic fallout they could face from penalizing Russia, especially given their reliance on it for gas imports – which could result in softer sanctions.
  • Defense companies, banks, Oligarch assets and energy firms are among those in the crosshairs, but some EU countries have called for the energy sector to be exempt due to inflation risks - bbg
• Events today: Cobra meeting (0630 GMT), EU emergency meeting in Paris (afternoon), Blinken & Kuleba to meet in Washington