Ukraine is considering cutting diplomatic ties with Russia, President Zelensky said. Ukraine has now recalled a senior diplomat from the embassy in Moscow for consultations about the crisis.

The Ukrainian government discussed steps with that envoy against Russia after Moscow recognized the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk republics in eastern Ukraine as an independent.

According to the Kremlin, a diplomatic break would only make the situation worse than it already is.

Russia says it remains open to diplomatic contact at all levels, and everything depends on our adversaries, a Kremlin spokesman said.