NEWSLETTER
Thursday / September 29Sep 29
Tuesday / February 22
Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin ordered the deployment of troops to two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine after recognizing their independence on Monday.
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting.
The US, EU, NATO, Baltic countries, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Turkey, Japan and other allies condemned Russia's decision and announced rejection. The United States and its partners began announcing sanctions against separatist regions recognized by Putin.
Tanks and other military equipment reportedly passed through the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk after Putin signed the decree recognizing the separatist areas and ordered the Russian defense ministry to send forces to "keep the peace".
While Ukraine and the West remain on guard for fears that Russia will create a pretext for a larger invasion with scenarios of a violent war, it is unclear whether forces entering the separatist-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine are Putin's first major step in a full-scale offensive against Ukraine.
The Russian ruble rose above 80 against the dollar as Putin addressed the nation.
A senior US official told Western media Russian deployment in areas controlled by separatists loyal to Moscow had not yet created a "further invasion" situation that would trigger the toughest sanctions, but said broader military action could begin at any time.
In his long-televised speech full of grievances against the West, Putin described Ukraine as an integral part of Russian history and said that eastern Ukraine was former Russian territory.
Japan will likely join US-led sanctions against Russia, including banning semiconductor chips and other key technology exports, if Putin orders an invasion of Ukraine, the Yomiuri newspaper reported.
U.S. stock futures fell sharply on Monday as tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated.
Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 476 43 points, or 1.4%. S&P500 futures fell 1.7% and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 2.2%. The US stock market was closed on Monday for the President's Day.
Oil prices rose as West Texas Intermediate futures rose 3.6% to $94.30 a barrel. Gold climbed to 1913 dollars.
Fear of further negative reaction prevails throughout global markets as Europe stands on the brink of war.
