The EU has given Russia until Thursday to pull it's troops out of Crimea.

The move has drawn international condemnation - the US President Barack Obama claims Russia has broken international law and says the country is on the "wrong side of history".

The US has temporarily suspended all military to military engagements with Russia.

Journalist with the Daily Telegraph, Roland Oliphant is in Crimea - he says it's unlikely Russia will heed Europe's orders:

Meanwhile the Tánaiste has called the Russian Ambassador to Ireland to a meeting today, to express his condemnation over Russia's actions in Crimea.

Eamon Gilmore says what Russia has done is not acceptable and the EU will impose sanctions if it doesn't de-escalate the crisis.

He says it's the worst crisis that Europe has faced since the end of the Cold War, and he's calling on Russia to immediately withdraw troops from Crimea.

Eamon Gilmore says the EU is ready to engage in talks to resolve the crisis.