President Biden reaffirms US commitment to Zelensky after Putin recognizes Ukraine rebel areas

Washington: President Joe Biden told his Ukrainian counterpart Voldymyr Zelensky on Monday that the United States stands by Ukraine's territorial integrity after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he would recognize two breakaway territories in Ukraine as independent.

According to a statement released by the White House on Tuesday, Biden reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

During the telephonic conversation, the US president firmly criticised Putin's decision to purportedly recognise the 'independence' of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Notably, despite Putin's signing decree recognizing the DNR and LNR regions, the statement still called both the regions an integral part of Ukraine.

"He also updated President Zelensky on the United States' response, including our plan to issue sanctions. President Biden reiterated that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, in lock-step with its Allies and partners, to further Russian aggression against Ukraine," the White House statement read.

"Discussed the events of the last hours with @POTUS. We begin the meeting of the National Security and Defense Council," Zelensky said in a statement. He added that he has an upcoming conversation with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson scheduled as well.

As per reports, Putin will sign a decree recognizing the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk Peoples Republic and Luhansk People's Republic, which are in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region and controlled by Russian-backed separatists. The move marks a rejection of diplomatic efforts to cease fighting.

In response to Putin's decision to recognize the areas as independent, the White House announced that Biden plans to sign an executive order blocking new U.S. investment, trade and financing from flowing into two Russian separatist-held regions in Ukraine.