Latest update 1:00 am 24-02-2022
The President of the United States announced tonight: “Yesterday, after further close consultations between our two governments, Germany announced that it would halt certification of the pipeline. Today, I have directed my administration to impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG and its corporate officers. These steps are another piece of our initial tranche of sanctions in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. As I have made clear, we will not hesitate to take further steps if Russia continues to escalate.”
This means that the USA apply the sanctions announced yesterday to Nord Stream 2 AG, its CEO, Matthias Warning, this company’s corporate officers.
“This sanctions date back to May 2021 but had been temporarily waived. As a result of the termination of the waiver of sanctions, NS2AG and Mr. Warnig are now sanctioned under the Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act (PEESA), implemented through Executive Order (E.O) 14039. Pursuant to PEESA and E.O. 14039, corporate officers of NS2AG are also subject to visa restrictions. All property and interests in property of those sanctioned that are in or come within the United States or are in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Individuals and entities knowingly engaged in sanctionable conduct related to Nord Stream 2 face similar sanctions risks.”, explains Antony J Blinken (Secretary of Stae of the USA).
“This action is in line with the United States’ longstanding opposition to Nord Stream 2 as a Russian geopolitical project and the President’s commitment that Nord Stream 2 would not move forward following the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” J.Blinken adds in his official communication.
“Since Russia began deploying troops to the Ukrainian border, the United States has worked closely with our Allies and partners to deliver a strong, unified response. As I said when I met with Chancellor Scholz earlier this month, Germany has been a leader in that effort, and we have closely coordinated our efforts to stop the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia further invaded Ukraine.”…”Through his actions, President Putin has provided the world with an overwhelming incentive to move away from Russian gas and to other forms of energy. I want to thank Chancellor Scholz for his close partnership and continued dedication to holding Russia accountable for its actions,” President Biden added.
All the economic sanctions agreed yesterday by the USA, the European Union and allies are effective now.
Cancelled by the US side the meetings schedulled for tomorrow between Presidents Putin and Biden and Foreign Affairs responsibles, Blinken and Lavrov, the diplomatic bilateral path between the USA and Russia is currently closed.
Russia, ready to push its troops into the Donbass region at the request of the leaders of the self declared Popular Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk
Meanwhile, Russia has received, so the Government says, a formal request for military support by the leaders of the self-declared Popular republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.
Russia’s UN Ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya warned today at the meeting of the UN Security Council the that “at the request of Donetsk and Lugansk, Russia will continue to monitor the regime ceasefire and that its armed forces will not tolerate violators.”
Vladimir Putin (President of the Russian Federation) goes even further pointed on the press conference held on 22 February: “Regarding the use of the Armed Forces abroad. Well, of course. By all means. We signed treaties yesterday, and these treaties with the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic contain relevant clauses that say that we will provide these republics with appropriate assistance, including military. Since there is an ongoing conflict there, we make it clear by this decision that, if need be, we plan to fulfill our obligations.”
In different occassions the President of Russia has pointed that the frontiers of the self declared Popular Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk are whider than the currently defined within Ukraine (one third of the territory). The leaders of the recently recognised by Putin Popular Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk and Vladimir Putin himself eye to extend control to all the Donbass Region, in fact.
In the press conference offered today by the President of Russia, he said he was open to dialogue but that his duty is protecting the segurity of the russians and the security of the country. And this means that Ukraine assures that never will join the NATO.
Zelenski warns: if Ukraine is attacked we will deffend ourselves, but still we asks for dialogue
Volodimir Zelenski (President of Ukraine) is said to have requested another urgent meeting of the UN Security Council. In his video message the President of Ukraine assures that his country wants peace but “if we are attacked we will deffend ourselves. They will find our faces not our backs”. He also stressed that Russia and Russians are still on time to avoid a war. Vladimir Putin has still not answered to his call to dialogue.
In the latest update on the situation at Donetsk and Lugansk, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine pointed that recorded violations by the Russian Federation Armed Forces indicate that they are taking active combat training measures to create conditions for further escalation on the line of contact.
The USA considers that around the 80% of the troops and war effectives thet Russia has already located at the border with Ukraine are ready to start off a massive attack.
The National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine decided today to declare the exception estate in the whole territory of the country except Donetsk and Lugansk.The Parliament of Ukraine must approve the Decree once signed by the President of the country and reserve Ukrainian natioanls have been mobilised.
Image over the headline.- Volodimir Zelenski (President of Ukraine). Photo,© Presidency of Ukraine
Related Eastwind links (English edition):
Zelenski asks the European Union taking concrete steps towards Ukraine’ full membership
Zelenski, to declare the emergency state in Ukraine
Trans-Saharan gas pipeline, back on track
Doha Declaration of the 6th Gas Exporting Countries Forum
The Ukrainian crisis.- Calling Russia to dialogue while showing the economic and troops’ fangs
EU and Ukraine deepen their Association Agreement, facing Russia
Related Eastwind links (Spanish edition):
Related external links:
Volodimir Zelenski (President of Ukraine) speech to the nation (video in Ukrainian)
