Russia's spy chief stammered as Putin snapped at him to 'speak directly!' while pressing him about support for decree on eastern Ukraine

The head of Russia's spy service was pressed by Putin on whether he supported the decision to recognize the two Kremlin-backed regions as independent states.

A video of the exchange between Putin and Sergei Naryshkin, chief of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, was shown at the security council meeting on Monday.

Putin cuts Naryshkin off multiple times as he stumbles over his words.

—Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) February 21, 2022

According to The Guardian, Putin pressed Naryshkin on whether he supported recognizing the two independent states of Luhansk and Donetsk as their own. The outlet said that Putin snapped at Naryshkin to speak directly.

Putin told Naryshkin that recognizing the regions as independent states was the only thing currently being considered.

Hours after the meeting, Putin delivered a long, passionate speech in which he announced that Russia was ordering troops into the regions.

The White House imposed sanctions on the regions after the move drew condemnation from the West.