PoliticoPolitico
Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into the Luhansk and Donetsk regions Monday night after he decided to recognize those regions as independent republics.

In the two regions, the troops will carry out peacekeeping functions.

As the Russian armored columns entered the two areas, it was clear that the order would immediately change the European security landscape as capitals across the continent scramble to respond to the possibility of a large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A senior administration official told reporters that this was a speech to justify war.

The official, who requested anonymity in order to discuss sensitive issues, wouldn't call the move an invasion. Russia has had forces in the Donbas for eight years.

It is an important distinction, as an invasion would cause sanctions on Russia and jeopardize diplomatic meetings that were set on the condition that Russia not invade Ukraine.

The official said they were very suspicious of sanctions activity from the Biden administration on Tuesday and the penalties that President Joe Biden imposed on Monday night.

Republicans on Capitol Hill argued that the full slate of sanctions should be triggered once Russian troops cross into Ukraine. They noted that the White House had its own definition of invasion of the country.

Now is not the time for symbolic pinspricks that will serve to embolden Putin and endanger.

Now is the time for President Biden to impose sanctions on the Russian economy and permanently end the Nord Stream 2 project, as he promised the world, said the lawmakers.

McCaul and Rogers said the sanctions were "wholly equal to this moment." Sen. Tom Cotton said they were "wholly equal to this moment."

Putin met with the leaders of the Russian-backed rebel forces after announcing he would recognize the regions.

The move ends weeks of desperate diplomacy between western governments and Putin's regime.

Less than 24 hours before Putin gave the order for the troops to move in, there was an agreement between Putin and Biden to continue talks. The Secretary of State was going to have a meeting with his Russian counterpart later this week.

It's not clear where those plans stand now, but the armored vehicles crossing the Russian border may have ended any further diplomacy. Republicans demanded harsher sanctions in response to Putin's moves.

The Biden administration and our European allies must not hesitate in imposing crushing sanctions if there is any additional Russian troops or proxy forces in the area. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez said that there must be substantial costs for Russia in response to this unjust act.

Despite repeated efforts to open the door to diplomacy, Putin has chosen the path of conflict.

European capitals demanded swift and harsh sanctions against Russia.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba demanded a meeting of the UN Security Council.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield called Putin's actions an unprovoked violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Thomas-Greenfield said that Russia's announcement was designed to create a pretext for a further invasion of Ukraine.

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