• This week, the West has pushed out a coordinated effort to punish Russia following its move into separatist territories in Ukraine.
• Moscow is now vowing a “strong” and “well-calibrated” response to the West’s actions.
• Ukraine took a series of steps on February 23 to bolster its security, calling up military reservists aged 18-60 and preparing to declare a 30-day state of emergency.

Moscow lashed back angrily against sanctions announced by the United States, vowing a “strong response” to a series of measures unveiled by President Joe Biden against Russian banks and individuals.

“There should be no doubt — sanctions will meet a strong response, not necessarily symmetrical, but well-calibrated and sensitive for the American side,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on February 23.

Over the past two days, the United States and its Western allies have set a coordinated effort to punish Moscow with sanctions after President Vladimir Putin said he would recognize the independence bids of territories held by separatists in eastern Ukraine and send troops there.

The move came after Russia amassed at least 150,000 troops on the border with Ukraine, prompting fears of a full-scale invasion…read more.