INTERNATIONAL: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said on Monday, February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin's recognition of breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine is a breach of international law. While Johnson was speaking at a briefing on coronavirus, Putin has signed a decree recognising the independence of the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk regions, upping the ante in a crisis the West fears could unleash a major war.

Signing a decree recognizing the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk is plainly a breach of international law, stated by UK’s prime minister. It's a violation, a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and integrity of the Ukraine. It is a repudiation of the Minsk process and the Minsk agreements.

Prime Minister Johnson has added that it's a very ill omen and a very dark sign. The UK will continue to do everything it can to stand by the people of Ukraine with a very robust package of sanctions.

Johnson further says, they have to see what exactly has happened in Donetsk and Luhansk in the Donbass area. He has said before about the package of sanctions is that they will be triggered with the first toecap of a Russian incursion or Russian invasion. But plainly, what has happened is extremely bad news .

Johnson said he would talk with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and would offer Britain's support.

When asked whether it was now time to impose sanctions on Russia, Johnson said he would have to wait and see what happened in eastern Ukraine.

^{PHOTO: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON SPEAKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE, SAYING THE RECOGNITION OF BREAKAWAY REGIONS OF EASTERN UKRAINE BY RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN IS A BREACH OF INTERNATIONAL LAW}