The US Says Russia Aiming For Annexation

The White House says Russia is laying the groundwork for the annexation of Ukrainian territory. <br />The chief spokesman for the National Security Council, John Kirby says Moscow is preparing to install proxy officials, establish the rouble as the default currency, and force residents to apply for citizenship. <br />Kirby says similar tactics were used in 2014 when Russia announced its annexation of Crimea after seizing the territory from Ukraine and holding a referendum the international community saw as illegal.