Russia’s quick recognition of Crimea as an independent state is
risking a second round of more damaging sanctions that could unleash a
new Cold War.
On Monday night, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree to declare Crimea fully independent of Ukraine. The act of defiance came a few hours after the United States and the European Union launched sanctions against about 30 individual Russians and pro-Russian Ukrainians for what was described as their role in threatening the security and the borders of Ukraine.
The sanctions, which consisted of travel bans and asset freezes, are the first retaliatory measures against Russia since Ukraine’s pro-Moscow president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted on Feb. 22, triggering the Russian military intervention in Crimea and Sunday’s referendum, in which Crimeans overwhelmingly approved joining Russia.
Canada joined the U.S. and the EU in imposing sanctions on 10 Russian and Ukrainian individuals.
The confrontation – increasingly reminiscent of the mutual hostility between the West and the Soviet Union – seems set to deepen.
Read more: Russia dismisses sanctions, gambles energy needs will weaken EU resolve - The Globe and Mail
On Monday night, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree to declare Crimea fully independent of Ukraine. The act of defiance came a few hours after the United States and the European Union launched sanctions against about 30 individual Russians and pro-Russian Ukrainians for what was described as their role in threatening the security and the borders of Ukraine.
The sanctions, which consisted of travel bans and asset freezes, are the first retaliatory measures against Russia since Ukraine’s pro-Moscow president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted on Feb. 22, triggering the Russian military intervention in Crimea and Sunday’s referendum, in which Crimeans overwhelmingly approved joining Russia.
Canada joined the U.S. and the EU in imposing sanctions on 10 Russian and Ukrainian individuals.
The confrontation – increasingly reminiscent of the mutual hostility between the West and the Soviet Union – seems set to deepen.
Read more: Russia dismisses sanctions, gambles energy needs will weaken EU resolve - The Globe and Mail
