On Monday, Russia recognized two regions of Ukraine as independent states.

Europe and the United States hit Russia with an opening round of sanctions for what they called a flagrant violation of international law. Tensions had been rising for weeks as Moscow sought a guarantee that Ukraine would not join NATO, while the West expressed concern over Russia’s threats against a sovereign state. CGTN’s Guy Henderson has a report from Kyiv.

To discuss the ongoing crisis: 

• Aaron Mate’ is the host of “Pushback with Aaron Mate'” on The Grayzone.
• Anton Fedyashin is a Russian affairs analyst and history professor at American University in Washington, DC. 
• Ulrich Bruckner is a European studies professor at Stanford University in Berlin. 

For more:

Hopes for a diplomatic way out of a new devastating war in Europe appear all but extinguished as the U.S. and key European allies accused Russia of rolling over Ukraine’s border into separatist regions and quickly responded with a raft of sanctions. https://t.co/Cj3pnODOhh

— The Associated Press (@AP) February 23, 2022

Ukraine crisis leaves Asian economies facing ‘disastrous’ price rises https://t.co/ZHBHdg4oZz

— South China Morning Post (@SCMPNews) February 23, 2022

Erdogan tells Putin Turkey does not recognise steps against Ukraine's territorial integrity https://t.co/DLg3NFpIPT pic.twitter.com/oOFHUEa2j8

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 23, 2022