24 hours of tension in Ukraine
Gunmen on the streets, tanks on the ground and plenty of uncertainty in the air. Anderson takes a look back at the last 24 hours in Ukraine. He speaks to men in Kiev who say they are ready to go to the front lines and fight Russia.
Can the U.S. make Putin pay for the invasion of Ukraine?
President Obama is responding to the invasion of Crimea with plans to economically and diplomatically "isolate Russia." With thousands of Russian troops on the ground, what options do the U.S. and European allies really have? Anderson asked Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta.
Ben Wedeman in Crimea: "The Russians are very much in control"
CNN's Ben Wedeman is in Crimea where he describes life there with the "men in green." They are the often-masked gunmen patrolling the streets in uniforms without insignias identifying themselves as Russians. While speaking with Anderson and Matthew Chance, Ben goes on to say that despite the invasion, life in Crimea "pretty much seems to be going on as normal."
Watch part 2 of their conversation:
Dealing with Putin
The Obama administration is scrambling to respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This is just the latest challenge for the White House in dealing with Vladimir Putin. Jim Sciutto looks at what happened since the Obama Administration's 2009 attempt at a "Russian Reset." He also explores how the Bush administration handled difficult situations with Putin.
Michael McFaul only stepped down as U.S. Ambassador to Russia a couple weeks ago. He tells Anderson he does not think Putin "thought out the endgame" on the Crimea invasion.
Senator John McCain: "This President has been operating in another world"
Senator John McCain slams the Obama administration for what he calls a "total and fundamental misreading of Putin and his ambition." While speaking to Anderson, Senator McCain offers some advice, saying he does not see a good military option for the U.S. in Ukraine right now.
What are President Obama's military and diplomatic options in Ukraine?
Ukraine sits between Russia and the NATO allied nations of Western Europe. There are few good options for the Obama administration when it comes to responding to the Russian invasion. Anderson discussed possible moves with retired Army Brigadier General Kevin Ryan and former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey.
Web Exclusive: Could Russia be justified in invading Ukraine?
What could justify the invasion of Crimea? NYU professor of Russian studies Stephen Cohen points to NATO's expansion and tells Anderson that "Putin had little choice" but to invade. The Brookings Institute's Fiona Hill suggests the possibility of Ukraine signing a major trade agreement with the European Union actually played a larger role.
Web Exclusive: Russia's view of the Ukraine invasion
The world is watching for Russia's next move in Ukraine. But how do Russians view what's happening there? Anderson spoke with Russian journalist Vladimir Pozner, who is in Moscow.
Anderson reports from Kiev's Independence Square
Editor's Note: Watch Anderson Cooper anchor AC360 live from Kiev tonight at 8pm E.T. on CNN.
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- Anderson meets a young man who doubts Russia's justification for invading Crimea. He says Russian speaking people in Ukraine are not in danger.
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- Anderson reports from Independence Square in Kiev.
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- Protest camp in Kiev
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- Flowers left at a memorial in Kiev's Independence Square.
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- Anderson speaks with a man who just volunteered for the military to help fight for Ukrainian unity.
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- Anderson walks through Kiev's Independence Square.
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- Anderson points out a shield used in Independence Square that is now part of a memorial.
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- Anti-Putin banner hangs in Kiev's Independence Square.
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- Anderson at a makeshift memorial to those killed in Kiev's Independence Square
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- Anderson speaks with a young woman who fears Russian troops will not stop in Crimea and the invasion will push further into Ukraine.
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- Anderson speaks with a man who says he is too old to join the army, but would be happy to pay a bribe if he were allowed to fight for Ukraine.
The deadly clashes have ended but the tension remains in Kiev. Anderson visited Independence Square where some 100 Ukrainians lost their lives last month. He found people who are ready to join the fight against the Russian invasion. One man had just volunteered to head to the front lines, while another who is too old to enlist says he would pay money for the chance to fight.
Anderson Cooper anchors live from Ukraine
AC360 broadcasts live from Ukraine tonight. Anderson is in Kiev. He visited Independence Square where he found men signing up to volunteer for the fight to keep Ukraine unified.
He discussed it with Wolf Blitzer. Catch AC360 live from Ukraine tonight at 8p E.T. on CNN.
