Vladimir Putin 'breaches international law' in latest Ukraine move

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been accused of violating international law as tensions continue to rise with fear of war in Ukraine.

Mr Putin on Monday recognised the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and paved the way to provide them military support. Donetsk and Luhansk were seized by Russian-backed rebels in 2014.

In an address televised on Monday, the Russian President said Ukraine never had a tradition of genuine statehood and complained that post-Soviet Ukraine had wanted everything it could from Moscow without doing anything in return.

The eastern states, with Russian-backed separatists, have been at war with Ukrainian soldiers for about eight years. The latest development from the Kremlin suggests that conflict could only escalate in the coming days with the US and UK stoking fears it could lead to a full on invasion.

Russian armed forces have reportedly entered the regions as peacekeepers, Mr Putin said. Although some believe this could lead to further conflict and shows an invasion is imminent.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters on Monday, Mr Putin is “plainly in breach of international law” by recognising the states.

“It's a ... flagrant violation of the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine," he said.

"It is a repudiation of the Minsk process and the Minsk agreements, and I think it's a very ill omen and a very dark sign."

US imposes sanctions on separatist regions

The Minsk process is a set of agreements designed to end a separatist war by Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden’s administration called the development a “blatant violation of Russia’s international commitments” and ordered sanctions.

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The sanctions will prohibit new investment, trade and financing in the two separatist regions. The European Union’s top officials have also said the bloc will impose sanctions.

According to the Kremlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron voiced “disappointment with such a development” but also “readiness to continue contacts".

With an estimated 150,000 Russian troops massed on three sides of Ukraine, the US has warned Moscow has already decided to invade. Still, the American and Russian presidents tentatively agreed to a possible meeting in a last-ditch effort to avoid war.

Russia does not want Ukraine joining NATO. Moscow has also demanded the alliance halt weapons deployments to Ukraine and roll back its forces from Eastern Europe — demands flatly rejected by the West.

"If Ukraine was to join NATO, it would serve as a direct threat to the security of Russia," Mr Putin said.

NATO secretary Jens Stoltenberg condemned Russia’s decision in a statement.

“Moscow continues to fuel the conflict in eastern Ukraine by providing financial and military support to the separatists,” he said.

“It is also trying to stage a pretext to invade Ukraine once again.”

with The Associated Press and Reuters

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