February 21, 2022 at 06:31 PM Eastern Time,Russian leader Putin ordered the military to enter the Donbass region of Ukraine on Monday, marking his second invasion of this pro Western former Soviet republic in eight years.

Despite weeks of international diplomatic efforts and warnings from NATO member states, Putin announced in an angry speech that Moscow will officially recognize two separate republics controlled by Russian backed militia groups. This recognition essentially undermines the Minsk ceasefire agreement reached after Russia illegally annexed Crimea in southern Ukraine. Putin stated that he will send Russian troops into the eastern republic of Ukraine as a "peacekeeping force".

According to a statement released by the White House on Monday, President Biden strongly condemned the announcement during phone calls with leaders from Ukraine, France, and Germany.

“我们强烈谴责普京总统承认所谓的‘顿涅茨克和卢甘斯克人民共和国‘独立’的决定，”美国国务卿安东尼·布林肯(Antony Blinken)在一份声明中说。“就像我们在杜马第一次提出要求时所说的那样：这一决定完全否定了俄罗斯在明斯克协议下的承诺，直接违背了俄罗斯声称的外交承诺，是对乌克兰主权和领土完整的明显攻击。”

General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also had a conversation with Ukrainian military chief Lieutenant General Valery Zaluzhny. Millie's spokesperson, Colonel David Butler, said in a statement, "The President reiterated his firm support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said in a statement, "I condemn Russia's decision to recognize the self proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic. This further undermines Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, undermines efforts to resolve the conflict, and violates the Minsk Agreement to which Russia is a party

Prior to Putin's statement, the Russian National Security Council held a rare televised meeting, during which the military and other leaders supported Ukraine's territorial seizure, stating that claims of Ukrainian attacks on eastern Ukraine were unconfirmed and controversial. Russian media reported on the meeting in a "live broadcast" format, despite Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu's watch showing the time five hours ago.

Ukraine is not just one of our neighboring countries: it is an inseparable part of our common history, our comrades, and relatives, "Putin said in his speech after the meeting, warning Ukrainian leaders not to retaliate.

As for those who captured and seized power in Kiev, we demand that they immediately cease military action. If they do not do so, the full responsibility for the possibility of continued bloodshed will be borne entirely by the conscience of the ruling Ukrainian territorial regimeUS officials have stated that over 50000 Ukrainians may have lost their lives in a major attack by Russia.

In response, Biden issued economic sanctions related to the invasion for the first time on Monday. They "prohibited Americans from conducting new investment, trade and financing in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine." The President immediately informed the leaders of Congress to implement the order.

Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement, "It needs to be clear that if Russia continues to invade Ukraine, these measures are separate from and in addition to the rapid and severe economic measures we have been coordinating with allies and partners to prepare

A senior government official later briefed reporters on the situation, stating that more sanctions will be announced on Tuesday. The official said that the incident on Monday was just like Antony Blinken's warning to the UN Security Council last week. After weeks of cat and mouse diplomacy with Moscow, Putin has now revealed his true intention.

We believe that this has made his clear plan come true, "said the senior government official. This is a speech to defend the Russian people for warThe official said, "In fact, in the past hour, we have seen Russia order its military to deploy to the DPR and LPR to carry out so-called 'peacekeeping' functions

The senior government official also said that if Putin does not further pressure Ukraine, the United States may not implement the full set of sanctions it has threatened to impose.In response, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz tweeted, "The weak reconciliation made the monkeys surrenderPutin's order actually means the end of the 2015 Minsk Agreement, which aimed to manage a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.

Source: Military of Strong Countries