Russian troops continue to arrive in Crimea, surrounding military posts and taking control of the peninsula from Ukrainian authorities.

During an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, diplomats asked Russia to withdraw its troops. The UN envoy for Russia said his country’s aim in Ukraine is to prevent extremists who are destabilizing the country. He also added that Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych asked Russia to send troops.

U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power accused Russia of breaking international law and responding to an “imaginary threat.”  Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin read a letter from Yanukovych at the meeting, describing Ukraine as a country “on the brink of civil war,” plagued by “chaos and anarchy.”

U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power said Russia’s statements regarding the situation in Ukraine were untrue. “Russian military action is not a human rights protection mission; it is a violation of international law.” She said there’s no danger to ethnic Russians living in Ukraine.

Ukrainian Ambassador Yuriy Sergeyev asked the United Nations for help, saying that Russia has sent 16,000 troops into Crimea since last week. Russian military forces are “illegally occupying Crimea and brutally violating international law,” Mr. Sergeyev said.

President Obama has expressed that Russia is “on the wrong side of history” and warned that the U.S. and its allies are examining steps to “isolate” the country. Obama was also quoted saying Russia is ” in violation of international law.”