Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'peacekeeping troops' assigned to Donetsk and Luhansk  7NEWS - video Dailymotion

Feelings Drama

Watch Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'peacekeeping troops' assigned to Donetsk and Luhansk  7NEWS - Feelings Drama on Dailymotion

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00:00Good morning. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops into rebel-held regions of Ukraine,

00:06describing them as peacekeeping troops, a claim rubbished by the West which has begun to impose sanctions.

00:13The two regions along Ukraine's eastern border with Russia were again recognised as independent states by Mr Putin.

00:20They are largely controlled by Russian-backed separatists who have launched heavy shelling

00:25into what's currently Ukrainian-held territory.

00:28Geoff Parry reports from the Ukrainian city of Lebev.

00:33These are worrying times for Ukrainians with Russian military boots on Ukrainian soil

00:39and no-one knows how far Vladimir Putin is prepared to go.

00:43Many think that this is just the start of the invasion of Ukraine.

00:47Earlier he declared the disputed areas of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states,

00:53free of Ukraine rule, and sent the troops in as peacekeepers, although no-one really believes that they're peacekeepers.

01:00We've seen the tanks and the vehicles move in to take up positions.

01:04There was quite a wild cheering in Donetsk and some fireworks when the Russians arrived.

01:09But what is unknown at the moment is how far he will go, whether he needs to claim what remains of those disputed areas,

01:17which are in control of the Ukrainian government.

01:20The EU and the UK were swift to impose sanctions, mainly against Russian banks,

01:26but also some high-wealth individuals who are associated with Mr Putin.

01:30And the German government, in quite a big deal, has basically put an $11 billion gas pipeline project on hold.

01:40It was due for certification, and the Germans said, we're not doing that at this time.

01:44It caused some strong ripples in the financial markets and has pushed a spike in the oil price to its highest since 2014.

01:53Thank you, Jeff.

01:54United States President Joe Biden has reacted quickly, imposing sanctions against Russia.

02:01U.S. Bureau Chief Ashley Mullaney is in Washington.

02:04Ash, the President slammed President Putin's description of troop deployment as a peacekeeping mission.

02:10Good morning, Sal.

02:15Yes, the White House has declared Russia's actions at the beginning of an invasion.

02:20The U.S. President is speaking today, saying this is the beginning of an invasion,

02:25putting it quite simply, saying that Vladimir Putin is looking to carve off a chunk of Ukraine.

02:32For that, the President has announced the first round of sanctions,

02:37cutting off Western financing to the Russian government and imposing sanctions on oligarchs in Vladimir Putin's inner circle.

02:46Speaking for the first time today since Putin declared those two regions independent republics,

02:53Joe Biden said he was moving more U.S. firepower into the region to beef up NATO's eastern flank,

03:02but made the point of saying the U.S. is not looking to fight with Russia, that this is a defensive measure.

03:09Who in the Lord's name does Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called countries on territory that belong to his neighbours?

03:18This is a flagrant violation of international law and demands a firm response from the international community.

03:25The window for diplomacy appears to be closing tonight.

03:31U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called off a planned meeting with his Russian counterpart.

03:37Sergei Lavrov planned for Thursday, looking extremely unlikely that President Putin and Biden would meet for a summit,

03:46unless there was a massive de-escalation on Russia's part.

03:51As for Putin's response to Biden's announcement today, a Kremlin spokesperson said he wasn't watching.

03:58Sal?

03:58OK, thank you very much, Ash.

03:59Mullaney, reporting in Washington there.

04:02Let's bring in political reporter Jennifer Beshwati in Canberra now.

04:05Morning to you, Jen.

04:06Will Australia join the U.S. and other countries in imposing sanctions?

04:11Yes, it will, Sally.

04:12The Prime Minister is currently discussing that.

04:14An emergency meeting of the National Security Committee in Sydney.

04:18He will hold a press conference soon to outline Australia's position.

04:23And the Prime Minister has previously ruled out sending in Australian troops,

04:27but has committed to assisting Ukraine with other capabilities, including cyber defence.

04:32Now, we understand the sanctions will be swift and severe, aimed at crippling Russia's financial system,

04:39much like what U.S. President Joe Biden has announced.

04:42The Home Affairs Minister has also raised concerns that Australia's critical infrastructure,

04:46like health systems, could become targets of Russian cyberattacks if sanctions are imposed.

04:53But that doesn't mean that Australia should back down.

04:56The Federal Government has also offered to fill a gas supply shortage to allies in Europe,

05:01should Moscow cut off energy supplies to countries that are heavily reliant on Russian gas.

05:07Ukraine's top diplomat was speaking with Seven Sunrise this morning.

05:11International community have to step in.

05:14The pressure on Russia needs to be increased.

05:17We will use whatever tools we have available to us, to the greatest degree,

05:22to ensure that we are applying sanctions in conjunction with our counterparts.

05:27There are still a few hundred Australians in Ukraine, despite being urged to leave.

05:32They will receive consular support if needed.

05:35Meanwhile, Australian diplomats have been told to evacuate now.

05:39Sally?

05:39OK, thanks very much, Dembeshwati, in Canberra for us this morning.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'peacekeeping troops' assigned to Donetsk and Luhansk 7NEWS

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