Experts weigh in on Vladimir Putin sending troops into Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday afternoon officially ordered so-called Russian “peacekeeping” forces to enter Ukraine, as MSNBC and NBC News’ foreign correspondent Matt Bradley reports:

Reuters confirmed that reporting: “Putin recognizes Ukraine rebel regions, sends troops on what Moscow calls peacekeeping mission.”

Russian media analyst and Daily Beast columnist Julia Davis summed up Putin’s actions in just three words: “This means war.”

U.S. Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA), who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, was asked on CNN if Putin moving forces into Ukraine amounts to an “invasion.” He replied, “Yes it does.”

Former Acting Secretary of the Army under President Bill Clinton Mike Walker, says “Britain prepares Russia sanctions, says Putin has broken international law” citing a Reuters report.

Republican U.S. Senator Rob Portman calls on the Biden administration to impose sanctions.

CBS News journalists point out that “Russia’s Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, told @margbrennan @FaceTheNation on Sunday that Russia is ‘NOT trying to take any territory of foreign countries.'”