{O/C} In overseas news, Western powers slapped Russia with sanctions in response to its declaration of two separatist enclaves' independence.
And the U.S. has cancelled a scheduled meeting between Russia's and its foreign ministers.
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U.S. President Joe Biden threw down the gauntlet and European leaders picked it up.
The United States and its allies, including Australia, Canada and Japan, unveiled punitive sanctions against Moscow and jointly condemned Russia's declaration of independence of two separatist regions in Ukraine.
As the world waits for the other shoe to drop, the United States moved to cut off Moscow from western finance. It is also hitting Russia's oligarchy and two Russian banks considered especially close to the Kremlin and the Russian military where it hurts.
{Soundbite} JOE BIDEN, U.S. President: We've cut off Russia's government from Western financing. In the days ahead, we will also impose sanctions on Russia's elites and their family members. They share in the corrupt gains of the Kremlin policies and should share in the pain as well.
Despite freezing more than 80 billion USD in assets, Biden stopped short of meting out some of the broadest and most debilitating sanctions, but said when it comes time, America will do so.
Russia is truly a miscreant, said the Australian Prime Minister, who didn't mince words.
{Soundbite} SCOTT MORRISON, Australian Prime Minister: They're behaving like thugs and bullies. And they should be pulled out as thugs and bullies.
The latest move came as Western leaders respond to Russia's recognition of the self-declared separatist states in eastern Ukraine and deployment of Russian troops.
Amid the interminable crisis, President Joe Biden also ramped up his rhetoric, accusing Russia of flagrantly violating international laws.
{Soundbite} Who in the Lord's name does Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called countries on territory that belonged to his neighbours? This is a flagrant violation of international law.
In another show of resolve, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cancelled plans to meet with Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov. Dimming prospect of resolving the crisis, Blinken acknowledged that such a meeting doesn't make sense when Russian forces are entering the enclaves.
Many say such a show of unity is par for the course.
Like it or lump it, Russia will have to contend with even more sanctions as Moscow and Western powers cross swords.
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