Volodymyr Zelensky on his Twitter account said that he had discussed with US President Joe Biden the strengthening of sanctions against Russia, as well as specific actions for military assistance to Ukraine and the creation of an anti-war coalition.
On Monday, February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin convened an extraordinary meeting of the Russian Security Council, which discussed the recognition of the DPR and LPR. On the same day, Putin signed a decree recognizing the independence of the Donbass republics, as well as treaties with them on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance. The head of state instructed to ensure the maintenance of peace in the republics.
On Thursday, February 24, Putin decided to conduct a special military operation to demilitarize Ukraine. In an address to the Russians, the president justified this decision by the UN Charter, the sanction of the Federation Council and previously signed agreements with the LPR and DPR. The Russian leader stressed that the responsibility for the bloodshed in Ukraine would be on the conscience of the Ukrainian authorities. The president also called on Ukrainian troops to “lay down their arms and go home.”