Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Ukraine's application for rapid ascension into the NATO alliance on Friday, which coincides with Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval of the annexation of four Ukrainian territories.
Putin's recognition of the referendums, which have universally been condemned by the West as fraudulent and illegitimate, demonstrates a significant escalation in the war that just completed its seventh month."We are de facto allies," Zelensky said in a statement."This has already been achieved. De facto, we have already completed our path to NATO.
The move from Zelensky will likely anger Putin, who has claimed that NATO expansion on its eastern flank was justification for the war. The departments of Treasury, Commerce, and State targeted Russian government leaders, military officials, and their family members. The Treasury sanctioned 14 international suppliers for supporting Russia’s military supply chains and is designating the Russian Central Bank governor, Elvira Nabiullina, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, and others.
Putin's projection of bravado on Friday at the agreement signing was a divergence from the realities on the battlefield.
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