US and Russia Exchange Incendiary Rhetoric on Ukraine

Rhetoric escalated today over the crisis in Ukraine. In Moscow, Vladimir Putin denied that Russian troops had occupied Crimea and accused the US of "interference." In Kiev, Secretary of State John Kerry seemed astonished by Putin's remarks. "The contrast really could not be clearer. Determined Ukrainians, demonstrating strength through unity, and a Russian government, out of excuses, hiding its hand behind falsehoods, intimidation and provocations." Andrew Weiss is Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment, where he oversees research in Washington and Moscow on Russia and Eurasia.