JAKARTA - The White House has accused Russia of planning to annex more territory in eastern Ukraine, based on the same "annexation handbook" used when it seized control of Crimea in 2014.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Moscow was preparing to install proxy officials, set the ruble as currency and force residents to apply for citizenship.
"Russia is laying the groundwork for annexing the territory of Ukraine it controls, in direct violation of Ukraine's sovereignty. We know their next move," Kirby told The National News on July 20.
He said Russia's actions were a grave violation of the UN charter.
"We're not going to leave him without challenge or without punishment," Kirby said.
He said the United States' response would include further sanctions imposed on Russia.
Kirby further said that more US military assistance to Ukraine would be announced this week, as part of other security packages, including the high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS).
Kirby said Moscow's annexation plans included Russia holding a regional referendum on joining Russia, which would be used as "the basis for trying to claim annexation of sovereign Ukrainian territory."
Next steps involve introducing branches of Russian banks and using the ruble as currency, controlling broadcast towers and internet access, as well as imposing Russian citizenship on local residents.
"We will never recognize the supposedly annexed territory of Russia," Kirby said.
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He said the White House believes Ukraine will resist the annexation attempt and its military will try to retake the territory.
"They do have every right to retaliate within their own country against Russian troops," Kirby said.
He added that Washington expects a UN-led deal between Turkey, Ukraine and Russia to lift the Black Sea blockade to ensure global wheat exports.
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