Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Russia's recognition of Luhansk and Donetsk as independent republics of Ukraine, in a speech addressed to the Ukrainian people.
Putin signed an immediate decree recognizing the republics of Belugansk and Donetsk as independent republics of Ukraine.
For his part, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, commenting on the request for recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics, said that he did not see another way, because after two or three days nothing had changed.
Lavrov had confirmed earlier that Russia was ready to discuss all security issues with its Western partners, but only took a position on NATO expansion.
On the Ukrainian side, the Ukrainian presidency announced that President Volodymyr Zelensky has called the Ukrainian Security and Defense Council to convene.
The French authorities also called on the UN Security Council to hold an urgent meeting on the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, according to a statement by the Elysee on Monday.