U.S President, Biden slams sanction on Russia over invasion of Ukraine regions

President Joe Biden has reacted swiftly to Russian President Vladimir Putin declaring he would recognize the independence of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, possibly using the move as a pretext for an invasion the U.S. has warned was likely coming at any hour.

The White House said Biden would soon issue an executive order “that will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in” the two Ukrainian regions under the control of Russian-backed separatists, Donetsk and Luhansk.

The order “will also provide authority to impose sanctions on any person determined to operate in those areas of Ukraine,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. She added that the U.S. “will also soon announce additional measures related to today’s blatant violation of Russia’s international commitments.”

“To be clear: these measures are separate from and would be in addition to the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with Allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine,” Psaki said.

The U.S. statement came after the European Union said it, too, would “react with sanctions against those involved in this illegal act” of recognizing the Ukrainian regions’ independence, which are under the separatists’ partial control.

The announcements came soon after Putin said during a televised address that he would recognize the so-called “People’s Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.”

“I deem it necessary to make a decision that should have been made a long time ago,” the Russian leader said. “To immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of the People’s Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.”

Earlier, Vice President Kamala Harris, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, CIA Director William Burns, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, all arrived at the White House for a meeting of Biden’s national security team on Presidents Day morning

Previously, while the U.S. and Western allies have said they would be united in imposing severe sanctions on Russia if it invades Ukraine, they had been more ambiguous about what steps they would take if Russia stopped short of a full-on invasion. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that Russia recognizing the regions’ independence would “necessitate a swift and firm response from the United States in full coordination with our allies and partners.”

The White House meeting came a day after officials said Biden was, “in principle,” open to a summit with Putin, brokered by France’s President Emmanuel Macron, on the condition that Russia did not invade. Russian officials were cool to the idea on Monday.

Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of violating sovereign territory of Ukraine after chairing a meeting of the security council. He also called for an emergency summit of the leaders of Ukraine, Germany, Russia and France and urged allies to take action against Moscow

In an address to the nation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of hampering peace efforts and rejected making any territorial concessions.

Zelenskiy spoke in the early hours of Tuesday after Russia’s decision to formally recognise two Moscow-backed regions of eastern Ukraine as independent. Moscow has also sent troops to the regions.

This has pushed the whole region into a crisis that the West fears could result in a major war.

Zelenskiy accused Russia of violating sovereign territory of Ukraine after chairing a meeting of the security council.

“We are committed to the peaceful and diplomatic path, we will follow it and only it. But we are on our own land, we are not afraid of anything and anybody, we owe nothing to no one, and we will give nothing to no one,” Zelenskiy said.

Zelenskiy also called for an emergency summit of the leaders of Ukraine, Germany, Russia and France and urged allies to take action against Moscow.

“We expect clear and effective steps of support from our partners. It is very important to see who is our real friend and partner, and who will continue to scare the Russian Federation with words,” Zelenskiy said.