EU Leader: We're Near 'Point of No Return' on Russia

Today's key phrase on the Russian-Ukraine situation is the "point of no return." The leader of the European Commission warned today that Moscow has brought the world to the brink of that point with its aggression toward its neighbor, reports the BBC. Jose Manuel Barroso spoke as EU leaders gathered in Brussels. With Russia showing no sign of letting up, or even admitting that it's helping pro-Russian separatists despite mounting evidence to the contrary, it's not clear what happens after the point of no return, though European leaders are threatening more sanctions. Also:

• Ukraine leader Petro Poroshenko used similar language to Barroso, reports the New York Times. "We are too close to a border where there will be no return to the peace plan," he said, asserting that "thousands of foreign troops and hundreds of foreign tanks are now on the territory of Ukraine, with a very high risk not only for the peace and stability of Ukraine but for the peace and stability of the whole of Europe." (Russia says any of its troops there are fighting of their own accord while on leave.)
• Lithuanian leader Dalia Grybauskaite said this, in English, reports AP: "Russia is practically in the war against Europe."
• Jet shot down: The Ukraine military said one of its fighter jets was shot down over eastern Ukraine by a Russian missile yesterday, reports the Guardian. The pilot ejected safely.
• Marching on: Pro-Russian rebels backed by Russian soldiers made more gains in the east, reports Reuters. Ukraine's military said tanks entered the small border town of Novosvitlivka and opened fire on houses.

(More Ukraine stories.)