RUSL - Russian ETFs plunge as Ukraine conflict looks poised to escalate

Russia's standoff with the West continues to intensify as Vladimir Putin announced he would recognize two self-proclaimed separatist republics in eastern Ukraine. The Russian president went on to sign aid and cooperation pacts with regional leaders in Donetsk and Luhansk (which include the right to build military bases), at a televised ceremony at the Kremlin that was condemned by the U.S. and European Union. "I consider it necessary to take the long overdue decision to recognize the independence and sovereignty," Putin declared. "Ukraine for us is not just a neighboring country, it is an integral part of our own history, culture and spiritual space." Response: Some sanctions were announced by the U.S. and its allies as Putin planned to send in peacekeeping forces, though Russia has continued to deny plans of an invasion. Ukraine said it will also stick to a peaceful path, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasizing that Putin

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Russian ETFs plunge as Ukraine conflict looks poised to escalate