peace. earlier today in a highly choreographed event he met with his country's top security officials floated the idea of recognizing sovereignty of russian separatists groups in donetsk and luhansk. pro russian groups control about a third of those provinces in eastern ukraine. then in a televised -- putin at light his vision for ukraine. he described the country as a historical part of russia calling it part of our culture. and said it was run by a quote puppet regime controlled by the west. he then signed a decree recognizing the independence of dynastic and lungs. condemnation was swift. the white house announced an executive order amounting investment, trade, and financing with the breakaway regions. secretary of state antony blinken wrote, this decision directly contradicts russia's claim commitment to diplomacy. and it is a clear attack on ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity.