NATO says it has all the evidence it needs to blame Moscow for breaching international laws following reports of Russian troops inside Ukraine.
The comments came after a snap meeting of NATO and Ukranian officials in Brussels and ahead of a summit in Wales next week set to discuss further aid to Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials have called for further international support to fight armed separatists, though NATO's secretary General downplayed fresh talk of Ukranian membership to the western military alliance as fighting continues.
Our Europe correspondent Jack Parrock reports:
IN: "Piling evidence."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 2 min 15 seconds
SCRIPT
VO:
Piling evidence alleging Russia's role in the Ukrainian crisis prompted an extraordinary meeting of NATO and Ukrainian military officials here in Brussels where the two sides discussed fresh reports of Russian troops inside the country and the options for Ukrainian forces battling pro-Russia separatists…
NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN says they now have all the proof of Russian involvement.
TAKE BITE: NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN
Despite Moscow's hollow denials, it is now clear that Russian troops and equipment have illegally crossed the border into eastern and south-eastern Ukraine.
VO:
Russia is being accused of sending up to 1000 of its own troops as well as tanks and artillery to separatist militants trying to destabilize Ukraine - just as Ukrainian forces begin making gains.
TAKE BITE: NATO BRIG-GENERAL TAK
"Russia's ultimate aim is to alleviate pressure on separatist fighters in order to freeze this conflict which would result in further tragedy for the people of Eastern Ukraine.
VO:
That was the head of NATO's crisis management center Brigadier General Tak - that approach many increasingly see as incongruous with ongoing peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
Ihor Dolhov is head of Ukraine's mission to Nato.
TAKE BITE: IHOR DOLHOV - HEAD OF UKRAINE MISSION TO NATO
"When foreign troops are on your territory and when they are ready to move forward, it is difficult to talk about political solution while military option is already being exercised by the Russian federation."
VO:
The concern has driven Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to recommend Ukraine aspire to NATO membership - a prospect that's being downplayed by NATO and its members in the midst of the crisis. Meanwhile NATO countries though are stepping up financial contributions to a new trust fund aimed at revamping Ukraine's military capabilities to deal with any possible aggression. If NATO allies and European leaders meeting here in Brussels on Saturday agree to see Russia's actions as an indisputable invasion of Ukraine, there may be little choice but to once again toughen sanctions against Moscow. Sandra Gathmann CCTV, Brussels.