According to a report on The New York Times and AFP, during a speech on Monday, Putin also demanded the end of Ukraines military operations in the separatist areas.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, called the move a violation of international law, including the Minsk agreements, and Ukraines territorial integrity.
The United Nations Security Council, which is currently under Russian presidency, called an emergency meeting to address the recent escalations, at the request of Ukraine, the US and other countries. Earlier, Russia had amassed troops near the Ukraine border and has been demanding NATO never admit Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations as members and the military alliance roll back troop deployments in former Soviet bloc nations.
Putin has ordered the Russian military to conduct ‘peacekeeping operations’ in the separatist territories, according to multiple reports.
At a UN Security Council meeting following the Russian decision, India voiced concern over the escalating tension along the Russia-Ukraine border and called for de-escalation of the situation and resolution of the crisis through diplomatic dialogue. Here are the live updates from the Russia-Ukraine crisis today
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscows move has ‘wrecked’ the peace process and is ‘a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity.’ a Reuters report said.
The White House issued a statement on Monday announcing sanctions to come and an executive order to ban trade with Donetsk and Luhansk.
EU and UK leaders also said they will announce sanctions on Russia in the coming days.
India has called for restraint on all sides as tensions between Russia and NATO escalated further.