There is still time to avert the worst case scenario that will bring untold suffering to millions of people if they move as suggested.

The United States and our allies and partners remain open to diplomacy if it is serious.

President Biden calling Russia's actions in Ukraine the beginning of an invasion says diplomacy is still on the table.

But listen, the window for that, it is closing really fast.

The U.S. cancelling high-level meetings with Moscow.

So we have three questions.

What diplomatic options are left?

What new action is the U.S. taken on the military front?

And will the threat of more sanctions deter Russia from going further into Ukraine?

It's way too early for this.

Good morning and welcome to way too early. It's way too early here, but in Ukraine, it's practically lunchtime, and we've seen a bunch of developments there overnight. We're going to bring them all to you, including the news that Ukraine is asking its citizens now to leave Russia ASAP. We're going to get to that. I'm Hallie Jackson in for Jonathan Lemire on this Wednesday morning, February 23rd. And listen, we have a lot of news. You know the

backstory, right? The context here, President Joe Biden putting new sanctions on Russia as he's

denouncing Moscow's actions in eastern Ukraine, saying it's essentially the beginning of a Russian

invasion. In that speech from the White House, the president condemned Vladimir Putin's

decision to formally recognize

those two regions in eastern Ukraine, those breakaway separatist regions, and send troops in.

And he's saying, listen, this is just the beginning.

We're going to put more sanctions on you, Vladimir Putin, if you go further. Listen.

Who in the Lord's name does Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called

countries on territory that belong to his neighbors?

This is a flagrant violation of international law and demands a firm response from the international community.

I'm announcing the first tranche of sanctions to impose costs on Russia in response to their

...