2/22/22 - Vladimir Putin Sends Additional Troops Into Ukraine

World leaders are scrambling after Russian President Putin orders forces into separatist regions of eastern Ukraine.

(USATODAY/AP) - Western allies levied significant response on Russia’s actions against Ukraine on Tuesday, as world leaders denounced President Vladimir Putin's actions in eastern Ukraine. 

As the Kremlin laid the groundwork to roll troops into two breakaway regions, Germany announced it was preparing to bring the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to a grinding halt.

A day after Putin declared Moscow would recognized the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, Russian lawmakers ratified the arrangement, allowing for the Kremlin to provide military support there.

Putin had ordered troops Monday to "maintain peace" in the provinces shortly after recognizing the Russian-backed areas as independent, stoking fears that a Russian invasion could be coming soon.

Convoys of armored vehicles were seen rolling across the separatist-controlled territories late Monday. It wasn’t immediately clear if they were Russian.

World leaders condemned Putin's actions, and consequences from the U.S. were swift.

President Joe Biden signed an executive order in short order on Monday to sanction any Americans who invest in the eastern Ukraine regions, with a promise of more to come.

“We plan to announce new sanctions on Russia tomorrow in response to Moscow’s decisions and actions today,” a White House spokesperson confirmed late Monday night.