BREAKING NEWS

NATO slams Russia's actions in Ukraine standoff

BRUSSELS - Russia's seizure of Crimea is a threat to peace in Europe and the situation must be "de-escalated", NATO's secretary-general said on Sunday, but diplomats said the alliance was unlikely to agree on major steps to rein Russia in.
Speaking before chairing an emergency meeting of ambassadors from the 28 NATO member states, known as the North Atlantic Council, Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned that Russia's actions were unacceptable and could destabilize the continent.
Despite the strong words, diplomats said they did not expect NATO to agree any significant measures to pressure Russia, with the West struggling to come up with a forthright response that does not risk pushing the region closer to military conflict.