Russia recognizes two breakaway Ukrainian republics. It didn’t fall to good ground either in Norway or with Western leaders.

On Monday evening, it became clear that Russia would recognize the two republics that broke away from Luhansk and Donetsk in Ukraine as independent states. No other country has done this.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labor Party) believed Russia’s admission to be serious and feared military confrontation from Russia.

– This is very serious when Russia now recognizes part of Ukraine as a separate republic. This is a serious violation of international law and an unacceptable attack on the unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Støre told NTB.

He also said that efforts of the past few days to find a political solution to the Ukraine crisis were being put on hold.

– The tone of President Putin’s speech in connection with the sharp military escalation around Ukraine gives reason to fear a military confrontation from Russia.

Norway supports EU sanctions

Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt (Labor Party) also reacted.

– Norway condemns Russia’s decision to recognize the self-proclaimed “people’s republics” in Luhansk and Donetsk as independent countries, it said in Press conference.

The decision was another violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, Huitfeldt said. Russia has occupied Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and has deployed more than 150,000 troops along the border with Ukraine. He said that Norway would support an emergency meeting on the situation at the UN Security Council.

– Norway has close contacts 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 imposed as a result of Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine, Huitfeldt told VG.

Germany needs a turnaround

European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a pers conference that they will respond to “all parties involved in this illegal act”.

– This is a clear violation of international law and the Minsk treaty, he said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said they demanded that Russia withdraw the recognition. He stressed that Russia had signed the Minsk agreement, which guaranteed peace in eastern Ukraine, and that they are now violating it.

– This is a major setback for the efforts that have been made to find a diplomatic solution, he said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also took a hard line against Russia.

– This undermines the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. And it wasted efforts for a diplomatic solution to the conflict, he wrote in one statement.

The White House said on Monday it would also impose sanctions. But it will not be against Russia. Instead, they will open fire on the pro-Russian separatists who control Luhansk and Donetsk. Among other things, they will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing from the American people to, from or in the two territories.

On Monday, Latvia’s foreign minister and Polish prime minister called on the EU to impose sanctions on Russia, ahead of von der Leyen’s remarks.

England with sanctions tomorrow

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was also unfriendly to Putin after a speech on Monday night.

“This is a clear violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity,” he said.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the government would announce sanctions against Russia tomorrow.

“Tomorrow we will announce new sanctions against Russia in response to their violation of international law and attacks on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Truss wrote. Indonesia.

Britain will strike further if Russia invades Ukraine, writes The Guardian.

On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron immediately convened a meeting of the country’s Defense and Security Council to assess the situation in Ukraine.

Ahead of Putin’s speech on Monday evening, the United Nations came out and urged not to challenge Ukraine’s territorial integrity.