U.S. imposes sanctions after Putin recognizes breakaway Ukraine regions

Key Facts

Updated on: February 21, 2022 / 7:05 PM / CBS News Washington — President Biden signed an executive order Monday imposing sanctions that target two Russia-backed breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine in a swift response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognize the regions as independent.
The Biden administration had warned that a move by Putin to formally recognize Luhansk and Donetsk as independent would be met with a "swift and firm response" from the U.S. and its allies.
Asked whether the "swift and severe sanctions" threatened by the Biden administration would not be imposed until the first tanks are rolling into Ukraine, the official said actions the U.S. take would be focused on responding to Russian action: "We are going to be looking very closely at what they do over the coming hours and days and our response will be measured according again to their actions."
It was not clear whether the Biden administration would view this as an "invasion," though the official said steps would be taken by the U.S. in response to this kind of movement.