The White House on Monday ordered sanctions against two Kremlin-backed regions in eastern Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would recognize them as independent states.
The West condemned the decree signed by Putin on Monday that recognized the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk as independent states rather than parts of Ukraine.
The White House said in a statement that President Putin's action undermines Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The White House said that the executive order is not related to the economic measures we are prepared to issue with Allies and partners in response to a further Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The executive order does not allow it.
The executive order gives the US authority to impose sanctions on anyone operating in the regions. It takes steps to make sure humanitarian efforts can continue.
The purpose of this E.O. is to deny Russia the chance to profit from its blatant violations of international law. The White House statement said that these actions were not directed at the people of Ukraine.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Putin's decree in a statement, saying that it required the recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.
US officials have long warned that Russia would create a pretext for war. The White House said President Joe Biden spoke with the Ukrainian President about the US plan to issue sanctions.
Putin ordered Russian troops into the two eastern regions for a peacekeeping operation, but the details were not immediately clear.
Russia-backed rebels have been fighting in eastern Ukraine. Russia has denied having its own troops in the region.
The actions of Putin on Monday were condemned by other world leaders. A spokesman for the UN Secretary-General said in a statement that he was "greatly concerned" by Russia's actions in eastern Ukraine.
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