A US official noted broad speculation that Putin could use a speech tomorrow to recommend formal annexation the region. Other comments from the official following the sanctions:
- Sanctioning of Putin advisers ‘hits close to home’
- Putin was not personally sanctioned because it’s ‘highly unusual and rather extraordinary’ for such sanctions to target a head of state
They don’t even want to hurt Putin’s feelings. How cute. The US response is so toothless that it’s almost bad news because Putin will probably see it and decide to invade Eastern Ukraine as he senses that the US is completely incapable of a forceful response.
Meanwhile, Crimea’s deputy Prime Minister said US sanctions will not affect the region’s accession into Russia, according to Interfax.
