How will you react to the Russian armored vehicles in the Donbass today? It depends on military developments – Corriere.it

from our reporter
Today Washington expected Joe Biden’s real response to the invasion of Donbass by order of Vladimir Putin. Yesterday, the US President signed an executive order imposing the first sanctions on the Donetsk and Lugansk republics. But the Provide a symbolic reality. Economic ties with the two breakaway regions will be prohibited to US citizens and businesses. The impact on the Donbass is minimal: since 2014, that region is entirely dependent on Russia.

Now, instead, It’s time for the first test of Biden and the Europeans. In recent weeks, the White House has consistently reiterated that sanctions will be applied in the event of another invasion of Ukraine. Everyone understood that the formula also includes the encroachment of the Russians on the Donbass. Is it still that way? Last night a White House adviser had a phone call and said that for one reason Today, Tuesday, February 22nd, Biden announced another round of sanctions. He did not say what the measures would be and whether they would be taken in coordination with European allies.

Obviously, in a background phone call one cannot anticipate a possible letter from the President or Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, or the National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan. However, the messages that are conveyed to the reporters are interesting. It will take Biden a few hours before he decides how to respond: He wants to see how far Putin’s tanks will go. This confirms Washington’s flexible approach to sanctions. Not an instant storm, but one A series of waves to match the Russians’ attacks. On the other hand, this is the only way that allows us to maintain the forward agreement with the Europeans. Then the Biden adviser insisted on one point: we always take into account that the Russians have been in the Donbass since 2014. How do we say: We can’t talk about a real invasion.

Of course there is a violation of the Minsk agreements, also signed by the Russians and which provide for the return of all borders to Kiev., in exchange for greater independence for Donetsk and Lugansk. However, at this point, the Biden administration wants to understand whether there are really alternatives to conflict. Not surprisingly, yesterday, Chief Organized a simultaneous call with French Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Schulz. The conversation lasted 30 minutes. We’ll see if the two European leaders’ attempt to tie up Putin at the last minute continues. Of course, it all depends on the military developments on the ground. Immediately after that, Biden informed the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.