Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday recognized the independence of two pro-Moscow separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and ordered troops to be deployed there for "peacekeeping" missions, a move that could pave the way for Russia to invade its neighbor.The move drew condemnation from the United States and European countries. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken slammed Putin for attacking Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and announced a trade and investment ban on the two regions.The punitive measures were separate from the "swift and severe economic measures" that…READ FULL ARTICLE
