On February 22 Beijing time, the Russian RTS index fell 6.85% at the opening and closed down 13% yesterday. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a presidential decree yesterday recognizing the independence of the “people’s Republic of Donetsk” and the “people’s Republic of Lugansk”. Since then, the United States announced financial sanctions against Russia and warned that it was ready to implement more sanctions; At the same time, the EU announced that it would impose sanctions on Russian entities and individuals.
As of press release, on February 22, Russia RTS index fell by more than 10%, and Russia MOEX index fell by more than 8%.
Today (22nd), China’s A-share market also fell. As of today’s close, the Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.96% to 3457.15 points; The Shenzhen stock index fell 1.29% to 13297.11.
Residents in eastern Ukraine: the streets are empty and terrible
After the deterioration of the security situation in eastern Ukraine, a large number of residents evacuated from civilian armed control areas, some to Russia and some to other cities in Ukraine. On the 21st local time, at a checkpoint in eastern Ukraine, some residents from Donetsk prepared to withdraw from here to other cities in Ukraine.
The evacuated residents said that in recent days, a large number of residents in their neighborhood have evacuated, and the streets have become empty and frightening . Finally, they also decided to leave their homes.
Yulia, a resident of Donetsk: after the residents began to evacuate, the whole community left. There was no one on the street. It was terrible.
Anastasia, a resident of Donetsk: there are more and more shelling, and everyone began to evacuate. I was left alone in our residential building, and there was no one around me. I felt very scared, so I finally decided to go.
Russia Ukraine relations are tense, and the United States and the European Union impose sanctions on Russia
According to China Central Television News, on February 21 local time, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a national video speech, announcing the recognition of the “people’s Republic of Donetsk” and “people’s Republic of Lugansk” as independent countries
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On February 21 local time, US President Biden signed an executive order to counter Russia’s decision to recognize the “people’s Republic of Donetsk” and the “people’s Republic of Lugansk”.
The U.S. government said in the executive order that Russia’s announcement of recognition of the “people’s Republic of Donetsk” and the “people’s Republic of Lugansk”, violated the Minsk agreement, violated Russia’s commitment to practice democratic policies, and damaged Ukraine’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The United States also said that it had previously promised that once Russia invaded Ukraine, the United States would impose economic sanctions on Russia. The executive order issued this time has nothing to do with the sanctions.
The sanctions included in the executive order include that any American personnel shall not carry out investment activities in the so-called “people’s Republic of Donetsk” and “people’s Republic of Lugansk”, and any goods and services from the region shall not be imported into the United States, and goods and services from the United States shall not be exported to the region.
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On the evening of the 21st local time, European Council President Michelle and European Commission President von delaine issued a statement saying that they “condemned in the strongest terms the decision of the Russian president to recognize Donetsk and Lugansk as independent entities”.
At the same time, the EU said that the EU will take sanctions against those involved in “this illegal act”.
In April 2014, a large-scale conflict between Ukrainian government forces and civilian armed forces broke out in Donbas region in eastern Ukraine (including Donetsk and Lugansk). Through the mediation of the international community, both parties to the conflict reached a ceasefire agreement in Minsk in September 2014 and February 2015, respectively, and determined the ceasefire demarcation line. Since then, large-scale armed conflicts have been brought under control, but small-scale exchanges of fire still occur from time to time.
Recently, Russia Ukraine relations have continued to be tense, and the two sides have deployed a large number of military personnel and weapons and equipment in the border areas of the two countries. The United States, Ukraine and NATO claim that Russia has gathered heavy troops near the eastern border of Ukraine and has the potential of “invasion”. Russia denies this and emphasizes that NATO activities threaten Russia’s border security, and Russia has the right to mobilize troops within its territory to defend its territory.
