Escalation of Tension a Matter of Deep Concern: India at UNSC Meet
India at the meeting said that it has been closely following the evolving developments relating to Ukraine and the related announcement by Russia.
"The escalation of tension along the border of Ukraine with the Russian Federation is a matter of deep concern," India said, adding that these developments have the potential to undermine peace and security of the region.
Attack on Ukraine's Status as UN Member State: US at UNSC Meet
Speaking at the UNSC meeting, the US said, "Russia's clear attack on Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty is unprovoked. It is an attack on Ukraine's status as a UN member state. It violates basic principles of international law."
UN Holds Emergency Security Council Meeting
The UN is holding an emergency Security Council meeting on the Ukraine crisis on Tuesday.
Diplomats told AFP that Russia, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council, eventually accepted US demands it be an open meeting.
US Sends Diplomats in Ukraine to Poland
The US said it is sending all of its diplomats in Ukraine to Poland out of security fears, after Russia ordered troops into two rebel regions of Ukraine.
"For security reasons, Department of State personnel currently in Lviv will spend the night in Poland" said Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
World Leaders Condemn Putin's Move
US President Joe Biden, France's Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned that Moscow's gambit "would not go unanswered".
The US announced sanctions, with the White House saying Biden will issue an executive order to "prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by US persons to, from, or in" the two rebel regions.
A French presidential official said the European Union was preparing a list of Russian entities and individuals to sanction in a "proportionate" response to the recognition.
The UN has also denounced the "order to deploy Russian troops into eastern Ukraine".