Western nations have condemned Russia's recognition of the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk and begun unveiling measures to retaliate against Moscow.

• Germany has ordered the suspension of the approval process for the Nord Stream 2 project, a major gas pipeline to Russia

• The EU is discussing further action, reportedly including sanctions on members of the Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament

• The U.S. said it would prohibit companies from doing business with the two regions

• Ukraine is considering breaking off diplomatic relations with Moscow

• The UK has implemented the first of what it describes as a "barrage of sanctions," freezing UK assets of Russian businessmen 

• NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemned Russia's recognition of breakaway Ukraine regions, calling it a "flagrant violation of international law"

• All EU member states have agreed on Russia sanctions package, said France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian

• Brussels will target the Russian state's ability to access EU capital and financial markets, says EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell

Russian President Vladimir Putin last night said he recognized the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk. The respective separatist administrations organized a referendum supporting their autonomy from the government in Kyiv in 2014.

Since then, a bloody conflict has run on in the region between Ukrainian troops and militia forces. Russia will send in peacekeeping forces to protect the population, he said.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said his country was ready for sanctions, which he said would have been imposed regardless of Russia's actions, but also expressed willingness to continue engaging via diplomatic channels.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he will consider breaking off diplomatic relations with neighboring Russia and urged allies to take stronger measures.