While you were sleeping, Russian military personnel fired warning shots above the heads of Ukrainian soldiers in the Crimean peninsula. Additionally, Reuters is reporting that pro-Russian authorities are cutting off water and electricity to Ukrainian soldiers.

And as if that wasn’t enough drama, Russian President Vladimir Putin is largely ignoring calls to de-escalate tensions or risk economic sanctions by the international community.

Confused about what’s happening and why this crisis affects our interests? Then watch our event, “Ukraine: What’s Next” at noon ET.

Hosted by Heritage’s James Jay Carafano, the panel will include other distinguished experts: Christopher J. Griffin from The Foreign Policy Initiative, Dr. Michael E. O’Hanlon of the Brookings Institution, and Heritage’s Kim R. Holmes.

At this time, we are reminded that the United States has supported the Ukrainian dream of independence and transition to democracy and markets since the collapse of the Soviet Union. As one of the largest investors in Ukraine, the U.S. has real economic and geopolitical interests in Ukraine’s future.