- Liz Cheney and Chris Coons among those urging sanctions
- White House now describes Russia’s actions as an ‘invasion’
- West struggles to maintain unity in face of Russia-Ukraine crisis
- Ukraine crisis – latest updates
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Here’s where the day stands so far:
Several European leaders said earlier in the day that Russian troops have moved into rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine after Putin recognized their independence. But it was unclear how large the movements were, and Ukraine and its Western allies have said Russian troops have been fighting in the region since the separatist conflict erupted in 2014. Moscow denies those allegations.
Members of the upper house, the Federation Council, voted unanimously to allow Putin to use military force outside Russia — effectively formalizing a Russian military deployment to the rebel regions, where an eight-year conflict has killed nearly 14,000 people.
