The White House considers the “beginning of an invasion”, the deployment of Russian troops to eastern Ukraine

Several European leaders said during the day that Russian troops have moved to areas controlled by rebels in eastern Ukraine after Putin recognised the independence of the two regions, but some indicated it was not yet the long-awaited and complete invasion, writes The Guardian.

The White House, which had been reluctant to use the word “occupation”, signalled a change in its position Tuesday.
We think this is, yes, the beginning of an invasion, Russia's latest invasion of Ukraine”, said Jon Finer, deputy principal adviser for national security.

“An invasion is an invasion and that's what's going on”, he's saying.

The White House decided to begin to refer to Russia's actions as a <x0-cut” due to the situation on the ground, according to an American official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The administration initially resisted calling for troop deployment because the White House wanted to see what Russia really would do. After assessing Russian troop movements, it became clear that it was a new invasion, the official added.