NATO forces

Moscow’s decision to recognise two separatist territories in eastern Ukraine sparked outrage in the West. The EPP Group Members of the European Parliament called for a new round of sanctions on Russia. The EU's geopolitical holiday is over.

"A new sanctions package must be adopted with the aim to progressively lock out Russia from the European economy, without compromise. We expect the Council to act swiftly in this regard. At the same time, Ukraine cannot win a war with European sanctions alone. The full scope of military support by NATO and EU partners should be on the table", says Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group.

"Putin chose to close off the path of diplomacy and confirmed his role as Europe's biggest aggressor. Europe must take a stand against it, for the victim. This is Europe’s moral and historic obligation. Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state which is free to determine its future", adds Rasa Juknevičienė MEP, EPP Group Vice-Chair for Foreign Affairs.

The Ukrainian People have a right to live in freedom and peace. We .

‘Unprovoked attack’: Russian troops to enter eastern Ukraine as Australians told to flee Australia has directed all of its embassy staff immediately leave Ukraine for Poland and Romania.

Cable: 's potential membership would create an opening for elements within the Russian establishment to meddle, stimulating US overt encouragement of opposing political forces", leaving US - in a "classic confrontational posture."

https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/08MOSCOW265_a.html

Russia has taken another step towards reviving Soviet Union - Ukraine DM Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield also charged that Russia was engaging in colonialism and was making claims on the territory of the former Russian Empire.