By Caribbean News Global 
UK / USA – Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to Ukrainian resident Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on February 21, to discuss the deteriorating situation in and around Ukraine: meanwhile, Antony J. Blinken, US Secretary of State said “we strongly condemn president Putin’s decision to recognize the so-called “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” as “independent.”
Prime minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street said:
“Outlining his grave concern at recent developments in the region, the prime minister told president Zelenskyy that he believed an invasion was a real possibility in the coming hours and days, strongly condemned the Kremlin’s decision today to recognise Luhansk and Donetsk as independent states, and said the move made the Minsk agreements and process unworkable. He added that the UK was already engaging with partners on the issue and said the UK would raise it at the United Nations Security Council and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in the coming days.”
According to the UK’s prime minister’s office: “President Zelenskyy that the UK had already drawn up sanctions to target those complicit in the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and that those measures would come into force tomorrow. The prime minister also said he would explore sending further defensive support to Ukraine, at the request of the Ukrainian government.”
“Regardless of president Putin’s actions, the UK would be steadfast in its full support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said prime minister Johnson.
The leaders agreed that the West needed to support Ukraine in the event of an invasion but should continue to pursue a diplomatic solution until the last possible second.
Antony J. Blinken, US Secretary of State, said:
“As we said when the Duma first made its request: this decision represents a complete rejection of Russia’s commitments under the Minsk agreements, directly contradicts Russia’s claimed commitment to diplomacy, and is a clear attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“States have an obligation not to recognize a new “state” created through the threat or use of force, as well as an obligation not to disrupt another state’s borders. Russia’s decision is yet another example of president Putin’s flagrant disrespect for international law and norms.
“US President Joe Biden will sign an Executive Order that will prohibit all new investment, trade, and financing by US persons to, from, or in the so-called “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” regions of Ukraine. We will continue to coordinate with Ukraine and our Allies and partners to take appropriate steps in response to this unprovoked and unacceptable action by Russia. The E.O. is designed to prevent Russia from profiting off of this blatant violation of international law. It is not directed at the people of Ukraine or the Ukrainian government and will allow humanitarian and other related activity to continue in these regions.
“Our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as for the government and people of Ukraine is unwavering. We stand with our Ukrainian partners in strongly condemning president Putin’s announcement.”
