AKIPRESS.COM - The White House responded Monday night to Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognize the independence of Lugansk and Donestsk regions, levying a number of sanctions on the region, CNBC reported.

President Joe Biden signed an executive order that prohibits new investment, trade and financing by U.S. persons to, from, or in the so-called Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic regions of Ukraine.

"To be clear: these measures are separate from and would be in addition to the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine," White House press secretary Jen Psaki wrote in a statement announcing the executive order.

Psaki added that the Departments of State and Treasury will share additional details of the Biden administration's actions.

Putin's decision to recognize the breakaway areas in the Donbas came in an hour-long televised address Monday evening.

A senior Biden administration official described Putin's address as "a speech to the Russian people to justify a war."