Russia's recognition of Ukraine's separatist regions as independent states is a 'clear attack' on the country's sovereignty, says US Sec. of State Antony Blinken

On Monday, the US Secretary of State issued a statement condemning Russia for its recognition of the two territories as independent states.

He said that the decision to recognize the independence of the so-called "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics" is a clear attack on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The US doesn't recognize either area as a republic. The country's claim that it was committed to diplomacy was also violated by Russia's move.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a presidential decree on Monday ordering troops into the Luhansk and Donestk regions. Putin recognized the territories as independent states.

States have an obligation not to recognize a new state created through the threat or use of force, as well as an obligation not to disrupt another state's borders, according to a statement by Tony Blinken.

President Joe Biden was going to sign an Executive Order that would ban US citizens from doing business with the regions.

He said that the order would allow humanitarian work in the regions to continue.

The US stands with the Ukrainians in condemning the announcement of President Putin.

In a separate statement Monday night, Blinken confirmed that US embassy staff who had been evacuated from Lviv, Ukraine, to Poland, would spend the night in Poland as the security situation in Ukraine continues to be unpredictable.