Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally requested permission from parliament to use the country's military forces in Ukraine.
The request, which was announced by the Kremlin a little after 6 p.m. ET Moscow time, refers to the "extraordinary situation on Ukraine" that has "threatened the lives of citizens of the Russian Federation, our compatriots, [and] the personnel of the military contingent of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation located" in the country—perhaps a reference to the naval base in Crimea.
See also: 5 Big Questions About the Future of Ukraine
Here's the full text, translated by Google Translate:
"Due to the extraordinary situation on Ukraine, threatened the lives of citizens of the Russian Federation, our compatriots, the personnel of the military contingent of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation located in accordance with the international agreement on the territory of Ukraine (Autonomous Republic of Crimea), on the basis of paragraph" d " Part 1 of Article 102 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation am submitting to the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation appeal for use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine to the normalization of the political situation in this country."
Putin's request comes just hours after U.S. president Barack Obama warned Russia against intervening in Ukraine's conflict, saying he was "concerned" about reports of military movement in the country's Crimea region.
"We are now deeply concerned by reports of military movements taken by the Russian Federation inside of Ukraine," Obama had told reporters from the White House briefing room in Washington late Friday afternoon.
"The United States will stand with the international community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine."
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.