Biden to prohibit trade, investment with Ukraine breakaway regions -White House

U.S. President Joe Biden waves as he departs the Hamilton restaurant where he had lunch with his granddaughters Finnegan Biden, Naomi Biden, and Peter Neal in Washington, U.S., February 19, 2022. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden will issue an executive order soon that will prohibit economic activity between U.S. individuals and the two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine that Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized as independent entities on Monday, the White House said.

Putin's recognition of the rebel-held areas could pave the way for Moscow to send military forces into the two regions - Donetsk and Luhansk - and argue that it is intervening as an ally to protect them against Ukraine.