After Biden's threat, White House grapples with how much to sanction Russia

When is an "invasion" not an "invasion"?

When is an "invasion" not an "invasion"?

After for weeks saying the U.S. would impose "severe and swift" sanctions on Russia if it invaded Ukraine, the Biden administration is now grappling with whether Russia's decision to send troops across the border would trigger the most severe punishments it had prepared.

The U.S. has condemned Russia for recognizing the independence of two breakaway Ukrainian provinces already partially controlled by pro-Russian separatists -- imposing limited sanctions on Monday -- and blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin for ordering troops into those regions.

But as the White House stopped short of putting in place sanctions it said would make Russia an "international pariah," observers were left to parse what, in President Joe Biden's eyes, would actually prompt that.