Norway condemns Putin’s recognition of Ukrainian breakaway states – VG

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Stoltenberg: – Trying to create a pretext for invading

In a press release from NATO Jens Stoltenberg also comes with a condemnation of Russia’s decision, and he asks them to still consider a diplomatic resort.

– This erodes the efforts for a solution to the conflict, and violates the Minsk agreements, which Russia is a party to, he says.

Moscow continues to fuel the conflict in eastern Ukraine by providing financial and military support to the separatists. They are trying to create a pretext for invading Ukraine once again, he adds.

Alerts immediate sanctions

The White House has announced that President Biden will soon introduce a presidential order will impose sanctions on “persons operating” in the breakaway regions of Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, alerts in a press release that the EU will also impose sanctions immediately.

In a Twitter post, wine where Leyen strongly opposes Russia’s decision:

– The recognition of the two separatist territories in Ukraine is a clear violation of international law, Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the Minsk agreements, she writes.

Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt informs VG that Norway has also joined the EU sanctions.

– Norway has close contact with allies and partners, including the EU. We will contribute to a comprehensive and unified response to Russia’s actions. Norway has joined all the sanctions the EU has introduced as a result of Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine, says the Foreign Minister.

Prime Minister Gahr Støre tells VG that there will be discussions in the European countries about what these sanctions will look like.

The British government says it will also announce new sanctions against Russia, according to Reuters.

“What has happened is extremely bad news,” said Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a statement.

The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, says the EU has agreed on a smaller sanctions package against Russia.

“It will concern those responsible for the recognition of Ukrainian breakaway states,” Rutte said.

French President Emmanuel Macron calls Russia’s decision a complete breach of Russia’s international obligations and an attack on Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.

He also requests an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Will support proposals for emergency meeting

Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt (Labor Party) believes Putin’s decision is another violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty:

– Norway condemns the Russian decision to recognize the self-proclaimed “people’s republics” in Luhansk and Donetsk as independent states, she says to VG.

Foreign Minister Huitfeldt says that Norway will support a possible proposal to hold an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the tense situation.

The chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in the Storting, Ine Eriksen Søreide (H), is also not satisfied:

– Russia continues its clear violations of international law, and that is completely unacceptable, Søreide says.

– We condemn Russia’s decision to recognize Luhansk and Donetsk as independent states. Norway has all the way clearly supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, she says.

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