Officials at the Pentagon see the Russian push through eastern Ukraine as a prelude to a much larger offensive. US President Joe Biden met online with allies Tuesday to discuss tougher sanctions and increased support for Ukraine.

Leaders from the Group of 7 nations, NATO, and the European Union joined the call. British officials have said this stage of the conflict "could last several months." Still, the allies are reluctant to intervene directly.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Ukraine would continue to receive their full support. But he said it is their duty to prevent the war from spreading to other countries.

Scholz said his country would provide more financial assistance so Ukrainians can buy more weapons. Officials from the US and the UK said they would provide more artillery.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said his government will extend 300 million dollars in loans. Japan will send surveillance drones. And it will provide masks and other gear to protect Ukrainians in the event of a chemical weapon attack.