MOSCOW (AP) — Russian lawmakers Tuesday authorized President Vladimir Putin to use military force outside the country — a move that could presage a broader attack on Ukraine after the U.S.
Highlights
- Russian lawmakers Tuesday authorized President Vladimir Putin to use military force outside the country.
- The move could presage a broader attack on Ukraine after the U.S.
- said an invasion was already underway there.
- Western leaders said Tuesday that Russian troops have moved into rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine after Putin’s recognition of their independence.
- It was unclear how large the deployment was, and Ukraine and its Western allies have long said Russian troops were fighting in the region, allegations that Moscow always denied.
- Putin laid out three conditions to end the crisis that has threatens to plunge Europe back into war, raising the specter of massive casualties, energy shortages and economic chaos.