Speaking to the press after chairing an emergency meeting to discuss Ukraine situation, Boris Johnson said these new measures will take effect immediately and are meant to hit Russian economic interests as hard as possible. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed the decree establishing Russia’s recognition of the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk, two territories that broke away from Donbass and asked Moscow to recognize them as States.

In a one-hour TV speech, Putin also said that friendship, cooperation and assistance agreements between Russia and the new republics will also be passed.

The British Prime Minister, who will announce the scope of sanctions against Moscow, accused Vladimir Putin of having “destroyed” international law, and asserted that the Russian president is willing to launch a full-scale invasion to Ukraine.

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