WASHINGTON – Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Monday evening that he would recognize the independence of two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine, a development that could undermine Western hopes of a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing crisis.

Putin made a long and arduous speech in which he criticized NATO and America’s history and accused Western countries of hostile acts that pose a threat to Russian security. Putin made it clear that Russia should be involved in this region.

Putin stated, “I consider it necessary to take a decision that should be made long ago” and to recognize immediately the sovereignty and independence of Donetsk People’s Republic (Luhansk People’s Republic)

According to the Kremlin, Putin discussed his decision with French President Emmanuel Macron (German Chancellor Olaf Scholz) before he delivered the address. While both Putin and Scholz expressed disappointment, they indicated that they were open to continuing diplomatic discussions.

After Putin’s broadcasted national security meeting, hours later, Putin announced that he would recognize both the Donetsk People’s Republic & Luhansk People’s Republic. These are areas of the Donbas.

The session featured top Russian officials discussing publicly the issues during it recognizing the independenceThese are the two areas where Russian-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces have been locked in an ongoing armed conflict. In 2014, just after Russia illegally annexed Crimea (a peninsula in the Black Sea), the conflict in separatist regions started.

Allies of Europe and the U.S. have warned Putin’s acknowledgement of separatist areas in Ukraine may be a prelude to an invasion by Russia.

European leaders condemned Putin’s declaration, calling it a “blatant breach of international laws.”

“The [European]Union will impose sanctions on those who are involved in this criminal act. In a joint statement, President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission and Charles Michel from the European Council stated that they reiterate their support for Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty within internationally recognised borders.

Antony Blinken was Secretary of State last week warned that recognition of Donetsk and LuhanskIt would trigger an “a prompt and firm response” from the United States with full coordination of our Allies, partners and allies.

Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, stated that he had requested an urgent meeting with U.N. Security Council. The 15 members of the Security Council (of which Russia is also a member) did not respond immediately to Ukraine’s request.

A White House official said to NBC News that Biden talked with Volodymyr Zeleskyy, Ukraine’s President, on Monday afternoon and for almost 40 minutes.

Over the weekend, President Joe Biden accepted a meeting with Putin “in principle,” on the condition that Russia does not invade Ukraine.

Jen Psaki (White House Press Secretary) stated Sunday night that the summit will take place following a meeting between Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, and Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister. This meeting will take place later in the week.

Biden met earlier Monday with the National Security Council in order to address the rapidly changing security situation at Ukraine’s borders. the second meeting in two days.

According to White House officials, the U.S. discussed with the Ukrainian government plans to move Zelenskyy out of Kyiv in the event that Russian forces advance.

People familiar with the plans stated that Zelenskyy would relocate to Lviv, Ukraine. This city is located approximately 50 miles from Poland’s border.

Following recent harsh warnings issued by U.S. allies and European allies, Monday’s meeting will be held in the Situation room of the White House. Biden stated Friday that Putin will launch an attack against Ukraine “in the coming days.”

Despite Russia having sent nearly half its army to Ukraine, the Biden administration refused to forecast Putin’s strategy.

According to the Kremlin, more than 190,000. Russian soldiers stationed along Ukraine’s border with military-grade equipment have repeatedly denied being part of an invading force. 

Biden’s highest diplomat stated Sunday that Putin still has time to make a choice between diplomacy and politics.

Blinken, NBC’s Meet the Press said that President Putin will not reverse his decision until the tanks and planes roll..”

He added that “until the last minute there is an option for him pull back.”

Let’s also take a moment to consider what war really means. This is the death and destruction of human life. It is a humanitarian catastrophe. It refers to the death of innocent civilians, including children, women, and men. Carpenter said.

Let’s be very clear, this would be an offensive, a choice war that was planned months ahead. He added that all that is keeping us away from this war now, it’s a pretext.”

In a shocking appearance at United Nations last week, Blinken gave a dire assessment of the potential damage Russian forces would do to Ukraine, if they launched an immediate attack.

Russian missiles and bombs are set to fall across Ukraine. Cyberattacks and jamming of communications will result in the shutdown of key institutions within Ukraine. The Russian troops and tanks will attack key targets already identified in detail plans. told members of the U.N. Security Council.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley painted an equally grim picture of what could lie ahead for Ukraine, telling Pentagon reporters that Russia’s troop buildup was unlike anything he has seen during his four-decade military career.

According to him, the Russians had deployed special forces and air force, as well as naval and aircraft forces along Ukraine’s borders.

The type of forces arrayed: the ground maneuver forces and artillery as well as the missiles and air force are all packaged together. Milley explained that the threat to Ukraine would be very serious and would cause a lot of deaths.

He said, “It would have been terrible.”