The Foreign Affairs Minster says international sanctions against Russia will be clear and firm.
It follows the Kremlin's formal recognition of two separatist regions in Ukraine as independent.
Vladimir Putin announced last night that he was sending troops to the two breakaway regions, describing them as 'peacekeepers'
But Simon Coveney has dismissed the claim.
"You don't send peace keepers in tanks and attack helicopters."
He said the EU needs to call out Russian troops.
"They are setting the scene for a military take over for parts of Ukraine and the EU needs to respond to that.
The EU, UK and US are working together to adopt a range of sanctions.
Minister Simon Coveney says that while diplomacy needs to continue, Russia is clearly in breech of international law/
