EU to Hold Emergency Meeting on Ukraine Crisis

European Council President Charles Michel announced that the European Union (EU) will hold an emergency summit in Brussels, late Thursday, on Russia's "aggressive measures" against Ukraine.

"It is important that we remain united and determined and jointly define our collective approach and actions," Michel said in a letter to the bloc's leaders on Wednesday.

"Therefore, I would like to invite you to a special (summit) on Thursday 24 February, which will take place in person in Brussels and start at 20:00 (1900 GMT)," he added.

It is worth mentioning that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed, on Wednesday, the European Union (EU) and US sanctions against Russia after recognizing the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.

"The future of European security is being decided now, here in Ukraine", Zelensky said in a speech, noting that his country expects additional European support.

Moreover, he also stressed that the recent developments regarding Ukraine are a "unilateral departure from the Minsk Protocol,” describing Moscow’s decision to recognize Donetsk and Luhansk as "another act of aggression against Ukraine."

The US Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said on Tuesday that Washington intends to impose new sanctions against Russia after its decision to recognize the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region.

"The US will impose sanctions on Russia, on Tuesday, for this clear violation of international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," Thomas said during the UN Security Council emergency meeting in Ukraine.

"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," she added.

It is worth mentioning that Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Monday, signed a decree as he recognized the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region.

In an address broadcast on state-run television, Putin said: "I believe it is necessary to take a long-overdue decision to immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic."

Following the hour-long speech, Putin stated that if Ukraine did not "immediately" end military operations in its eastern regions, Kyiv would hold "all responsibility for the possible continuation of bloodshed."

The Russian leader has previously stated that there are no prospects for implementing the 2015 Minsk peace accord to end the conflict with Ukraine.