Russian troops are now in control of Crimea

A senior U.S. administration official speaking on background said the Russian military is “full operational control” of the Crimea region of Ukraine, where it is believed that about 6,000 airborne troops and naval are present.

He added yesterday that the U.S. is looking at a “range of menu options to reduce our economic and trade relations” with Russia, and that President Barack Obama did not “justify intervention” Russian President Vladimir Putin, in order protect ethnic Russians in Ukraine.

He also stressed that the U.S. is looking at all the diplomatic and political measures available against Russia, such as economic sanctions and visa bans, but “not focused on military intervention” for the Obama administration “wants to de-escalate “the situation rather than provoke further Russian action.