Ukraine-Russia crisis: What to know in the escalating crisis

By VANESSA GERA
Associated Press

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Efforts by world leaders to head off a Russian invasion of Ukraine have been dealt a serious blow. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and ordered the Russian military to “maintain peace” there. But Putin’s moves, made as shelling continued in those regions, could be a precursor to the Kremlin sending in troops and weapons to support the separatists. The U.N. Security Council held a rare nighttime emergency meeting at the request of Ukraine, the U.S. and other countries. The White House says President Joe Biden agreed “in principle” to meet Putin but only if he refrains from launching an assault on Ukraine.