The White House said Tuesday it has intelligence that shows Russia intends to further annex Ukrainian territory, a move that would provoke the U.S. to respond “swiftly and severely.”
Speaking at the daily White House press briefing, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Moscow is following the playbook it used in the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
That playbook includes using “sham” referenda to install illegitimate proxy officials, establishing the ruble as the official currency, forcing Ukrainian citizens to apply for Russian citizenship and sabotaging the internet.
Mr. Kirby said the U.S. is already seeing “ample evidence” that Russia is moving ahead with its annexation plans.