How Joe Biden, Justin Trudeau and the world are reacting to Russia-Ukraine tensions

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/02/2022 (942 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In an escalation of tensions Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. Hours later, the Kremlin ordered forces to “maintain peace” in the separatist regions.

The announcement earned swift promises of additional sanctions from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other world leaders. It also led the U.N. Security Council to announce an emergency meeting Monday night.

Here’s how world leaders are moving.

Hours after Putin’s announcement, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was on the phone with U.S. President Joe Biden, and later, U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson.

“We don’t owe anyone anything and we won’t give anyone anything,” Zelenskyy said in a later appearance, according to local media.

Canada’s head of government promised new sanctions in retaliation to Putin’s recognition of Ukraine’s breakaway regions, and denounced Russia’s deployment of “peace keepers” to the area.

“We remain steadfast in our support for Ukrainian sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence,” Trudeau said. “Canada, and our allies, will defend democracy and the will of the Ukrainian people.”

In a twitter post Monday evening, U.S.’s Biden said he signed an executive order to “deny Russia the chance to profit from its blatant violations of international law.”

According to a press release, the order would bar U.S. persons from investing, trading or financing “to, from, or in” the breakaway regions recognized by Putin.

The U.K. has also declared new sanctions, to be announced tomorrow said its foreign secretary Liz Truss.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Russia’s actions on Twitter and said he asked for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

U.N. secretary general António Guterres said the U.N. “remain fully supportive of the sovereignty, independence & territorial integrity of Ukraine, within internationally recognized borders.”

Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki called Putin’s actions “an act of aggression against Ukraine that must be met with unequivocal response & immediate sanctions.”

“I call for an urgent meeting of European Council to discuss this matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Turkish foreign ministry has rejected Russia’s recognition of Ukraine’s breakaway states.

NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg also condemning Russia.

“I condemn #Russia recognition of Donetsk/Luhansk in #Ukraine. It erodes efforts to resolve the conflict & violates Minsk agreements,” he said.

As the situation on the ground escalates, journalists and locals in the area are tweeting updates. Here’s what a few of them had to say.

Correction — Feb. 22, 2022: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is the head of government. This article incorrectly said he is head of state.

Kevin Jiang is a Toronto-based digital producer for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @crudelykevin