U.S. President Barack Obama says Russia was acting "out of weakness" and not strength in its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
In comments to reporters following a nuclear summit in The Hague Tuesday, Mr. Obama said the international community would never recognize Russia's takeover of Crimea, but he said a military response from the West was unlikely.
The U.S. leader said Washington is still concerned about "further encroachment" into Ukraine by Russia.
On Monday, leaders from the U.S. Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan said they were suspending their participation with Russia in the G8, until Moscow "changes course."
Russian news agencies quote a Kremlin spokesman as saying Russia is ready for and interested in continuing contacts with its fellow G8 countries.
Also Tuesday, Ukrainian marines began leaving Crimea by the busload as Russian forces took control of the last remaining military base under Ukrainian control.