NATO is also to hold an urgent meeting on Tuesday at Poland’s request, after the neighbour of Ukraine raised concerns about its own security in light of the crisis.
The world’s richest nations have already threatened to strip Moscow of its coveted seat at the Group of Eight industrialised nations for menacing its ex-Soviet neighbour.
But Europe and Washington appear to have limited options in dealing with Putin — a veteran strongman with mass domestic appeal who has cracked down on political freedoms and appears more interested in rebuilding vestiges of the Soviet Union than repairing relations with the West.
“Europe is without doubt in the worst crisis since the fall of the Wall,” said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
US President Barack Obama used some of his strongest language yet on the escalating crisis on the eastern edge of Europe, where three months of protests culminated in a week of carnage that claimed nearly 100 lives and led to the ouster of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych — now sheltering in Russia.
The US leader said the Kremlin had put itself “on the wrong side of history” by mobilising forces in Ukraine’s strategic Black Sea peninsula, which has housed the Russian Black Sea Fleet since the 18th century.
“I think the world is largely united in recognising the steps Russia has taken are a violation of Ukrainian sovereignty… a violation of international law,” Obama said.
The US leader added that he had told Russia that it could face isolation unless it changes course.
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