Russia faces stricter new sanctions after Vladimir Putin recognises Ukraine's breakaway regions

The Russian UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, warned Western powers to "think twice" and not worsen the situation.

MOSCOW: The United States and its European allies are poised to announce harsh new sanctions against Russia on Tuesday after President Vladimir Putin formally recognised two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, escalating a security crisis on the continent.

Putin`s announcement on Monday drew international condemnation and immediate US sanctions, with President Joe Biden signing an executive order to halt US business activity in the breakaway regions and ban imports of all goods from those areas controlled by Russian-backed separatists.

Britain, France and Germany also agreed to respond with sanctions, with Britain and the United States saying they would announce further measures on Tuesday.

"The United States will impose sanctions on Russia for this clear violation of international law and Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity," Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters after an emergency meeting of the Security Council late on Monday.

"We can, will, and must stand united in our calls for Russia to withdraw its forces, return to the diplomatic table and work toward peace." Britain said it had drawn up sanctions to target those complicit in the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and those measures would come into force on Tuesday.