Countries impose sanctions on Russia
(VOVWORLD) - The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan on Tuesday announced sanctions targeting Russia after Moscow officially recognized the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and the Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR) in Donbass, eastern Ukraine.
 Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a decree recognizing the independence of two self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, at an emergency meeting with the Security Council in Moscow, February 21, 2022. Photo: AFP/VNA
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US President Joe Biden announced the first round of sanctions targeting Russian financial institutions and elites which will officially take effect on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK will freeze all assets in the UK of five banks and three billionaires of Russia, saying the sanctions package will hit oligarchs and banks close to the Kremlin.
Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa said that Japan would continue to monitor the development of the situation in Ukraine with serious concern and coordinate a tough response, including sanctions in cooperation with the international community.
Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs said Australia was prepared to announce swift and severe sanctions that would target key Russian individuals and entities.
The 27 EU member states adopted a new package of sanctions that will blacklist more politicians, lawmakers and officials, ban EU investors from trading in Russian state bonds, and target imports and exports with separatist entities.