Top U.S. foreign policy officials arrive at White House as Russia-Ukraine crisis simmers

WASHINGTON – Top U.S. foreign policy officials arrived at the White House on Monday as Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was weighing a request by two regions of eastern Ukraine to be recognized as independent, a move that could give Moscow a reason to openly send in troops.

A Reuters eyewitness saw Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and General Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrive at the White House on the U.S. Presidents Day federal holiday. There was no immediate comment from the White House on the reason for their appearance.

(Reporting By Don Pessin and Jeff Mason; Writing by Arshad Mohammed; editing by Grant McCool)