* U.S. President Joe Biden will address Americans on the crisis from the White House at 1 p.m. Eastern Time
* Russia's parliament approved Vladimir Putin's request to use military force outside his nation's borders
* Russia has sent more than 10,000 troops into Ukrainian territory occupied by separatists, source has claimed
* Came as Kremlin said Putin's order to recognize Donetsk and Luhansk as independent extends to areas currently held by Ukrainian forces, raising fears of a land-grab and direct conflict
* Putin said during a Tuesday news conference that he recognizes the sovereignty of the entire Donetsk and Luhansk regions, despite rebels controlling less than half the territory there
* White House national security official said Russia's movements amounted to an 'invasion' on Tuesday
* The official said the U.S. would announce additional sanctions more directly targeting Russia this afternoon
* German Chancellor Olaf Sholz halted certification of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany over Putin's actions, explaining that 'the situation has fundamentally changed'
* Russian state media reported that a group of journalists from Donetsk, Russia, the U.S. and Italy came under mortar fire in the Donetsk region, near the site of a deadly car explosion earlier in the day
The White House declared the Russian military's movement to be an 'invasion' after Russia's authoritarian leader recognized the areas of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent regions -- including portions still under the Ukrainian government's control.
Hours later Russia's parliament approved a request by President Vladimir Putin to use military force outside of his nation's territory, stoking fears he could be plotting further military action after Kremlin troops already entered Ukrainian dissident territories.
'By approving the use of the armed forces abroad, we assume they will be peacekeeping forces - forces designed to maintain peace and stability in the (self-proclaimed east Ukrainian) republics,' Valentina Matvienko, the upper house's speaker, said before the vote.
Read more ....
Russia's Parliament Grants President Putin The Right To Deploy Military Forces Abroad
Russian parliament grants Putin right to deploy military abroad -- RT
Russia approves legislation allowing troop deployment in Ukraine's rebel regions -- The Hill
West prepares as Russian parliament approves deployment of troops - watch -- Reuters
Russia’s Federation Council ratifies friendship, cooperation treaties with DPR, LPR -- TASS
Russia Votes to Use Troops Abroad After Separatist Recognition -- The Hill
