Russia's Putin Submits Plans For Armed Intervention In Ukraine

Russia's upper house of parliament has approved Mr Putin's request to use Russian forces in Ukraine - less than two hours after the request was made.

BREAKING: Russia's upper house approves decision to use troops in the territory of #Ukraine. [Reuters] More soon.

CNN are showing images of Russian tanks on the move in Crimea.

Shaun Walker @shaunwalker7

You spend years trying to dissuade people to talk in Cold War stereotypes and then you watch a parliament session like this. No words.

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking parliamentary approval for a military intervention in Ukraine, according to a Kremlin statement Saturday.

Putin said the move is needed to protect ethnic Russians and the personnel of a Russian military base in Ukraine's strategic region of Crimea.

It was not clear if military action was imminent or whether Putin's announcement was merely intended to send a message to international powers that Russia would not back down over the future of Ukraine.

Hours before Putin's statement, Western foreign ministers issued calls for Russia to de-escalate the crisis in Crimea - echoing a similar warning from President Barack Obama that armed intervention would have "costs."

The request, made to the Russian Senate, follows a letter from the Upper House to Putin appealing for the same.

 If it wasn't obvious before, well it is now.  Vladimir Putin wants to reestablish the Russian empire that existed for the 75 years of the former Soviet Union.  Putin won't stop until, one he's reestablished the Russian empire he longs for or until the community of nations stands up to his aggression. And, no I don't mean through armed conflict.