United Nations Security Council meets after Russia recognized two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent entities, in New York City, US, February 21, 2022. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

“The United States will impose sanctions on Russia,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters after an emergency meeting of the Security Council late on Monday.

European Union member states' ambassadors will meet to discuss possible sanctions with limited sanctions a possible option, an EU official said. 

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the recognition of the two regions did not affect Russia's readiness for talks with the United States, the Tass news agency reported.

Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, warned Western powers to "think twice" and not worsen the situation.

China said it was concerned about the worsening situation and called for all parties to restraint.

UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo said the UN regretted Russia's order to deploy troops into eastern Ukraine on a reported peacekeeping mission.