This is happening.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has defied the West, recognized two separatist-held regions in Ukraine as independent states and appears to be sending in his own troops – he’s calling them “peacekeepers” – to the contested regions.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield described Putin’s use of that term, “peacekeepers,” as “nonsense.”

Europe and the US announced tough new sanctions meant to isolate Russia from the Western banking system, cut