Ukraine-Russia crisis: What to know in the escalating crisis
CTV
From a hastily convened meeting of the United Nations Security Council to capitals around the world, leaders have condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's recognition of two pro-Russia regions in eastern Ukraine as independent and his order to send troops there.
They also warned of a global fallout from the crisis over Ukraine, which was evident Tuesday as oil prices rose, stock markets fell, and the U.K. slapped sanctions on Russian banks.
Here's a glance at the top things to know Tuesday about the conflict over Ukraine and the security crisis in Eastern Europe:
The White House is now calling Russia's troop deployments in eastern Ukraine an "invasion" after initially being hesitant to use the term. Around the world, leaders condemned Putin and prepared to hit his administration with sanctions.
"We think this is, yes, the beginning of an invasion, Russia's latest invasion into Ukraine," said Jon Finer, principal deputy national security adviser. He said "latest" was important. "An invasion is an invasion and that is what is under way."
A federal gun case against U.S. President Joe Biden's son Hunter opened Monday with jury selection, following the collapse of a plea deal that would have avoided the spectacle of a trial so close the 2024 election. First lady Jill Biden was seated in the front row of the courtroom, in a show of support for her son.
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told a gathering of top security officials Saturday that war with China was neither imminent nor unavoidable, despite rapidly escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, stressing the importance of renewed dialogue between him and his Chinese counterpart in avoiding "miscalculations and misunderstandings."