Western reactions continued to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognize the independence of the separatist regions of Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk.
The White House said it expected such a move from Russia, was ready to respond immediately, and would continue to consult closely with allies and partners - including Ukraine - on next steps and regarding the ongoing Russian escalation on Ukraine's borders.
He revealed that US President Joe Biden will soon issue an executive order prohibiting Americans from investing, trading or financing in the so-called Ukrainian separatist regions.
He explained that the executive order would also give the power to impose sanctions on anyone found to be operating in those areas of Ukraine, and said that these actions are separate from quick economic measures that we are preparing in coordination with allies if there is a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The US Department of Defense (the Pentagon) also said that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, had a telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, and the Pentagon indicated that Milley reiterated Washington's steadfast support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
For his part, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned Russia's recognition of the separatist republics in eastern Ukraine, considering it a "flagrant violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Johnson said - during a press conference - that Putin's recognition of the independence of pro-Russian separatists is a "repudiation of the Minsk process and agreements" concluded in 2015 to bring peace to Ukraine.
In turn, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss pointed out that Putin's move "marks the end of the Minsk process and is a violation of the Charter of the United Nations," adding, "We will not allow Russia's violation of its international obligations to go unpunished."
The Elysee also confirmed that French President Emmanuel Macron condemns Putin's decision to recognize the separatist regions of eastern Ukraine, and calls for an emergency meeting of the Security Council.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke to Biden as Russia recognized the independence of two regions controlled by Moscow-backed separatists.
Zelensky wrote on Twitter that he intended to speak to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and that he had started a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council.
In the same context, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel said - in a joint statement today, Monday - that Russia's recognition of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine as independent entities, will lead to the imposition of sanctions from the European Union.
"This step is a flagrant violation of international law as well as the Minsk agreements, and the union will respond by imposing sanctions on those involved in this illegal act," they added.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also condemned Russia's recognition of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, saying the move was a violation of agreements signed by Moscow.
"I condemn Russia's decision to recognize the unilaterally declared Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic," Stoltenberg said in a statement, adding that this further undermines Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, weakens efforts to resolve the conflict, and violates the Minsk Agreements to which Russia is a party.
On Monday, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, canceled a visit he was scheduled to make to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and decided to return quickly to New York due to the crisis in Ukraine, according to what his spokesman announced.
"The Secretary-General, given the deteriorating situation with regard to Ukraine, has canceled his visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and is returning to New York on Tuesday," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
Putin announced his country's recognition of the independence of the separatist regions of Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk, and signed two decrees recognizing Russia's two republics, asking the Russian parliament to immediately recognize this decision.