Beijing ( CNN ) -- When it comes to Russia 's annexation of Crimea and possible further expansion in eastern Ukraine , Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is taking the long view . `` This is n't a matter of one or two days or one or two weeks , '' Hagel told CNN 's Jim Sciutto in an interview Wednesday during a visit to China . `` When Russia has taken the action it has to violate the integrity and sovereignty of a nation , there will be long-term consequences . '' Now , he said , `` those long-term consequences are playing out . '' Long-term consequences . News headlines chronicle continued political instability in the region , with pro-Russian separatists occupying government buildings in eastern Ukraine while Russian troops are gathered across the border . The unrest follows a similar scenario in the Crimean Peninsula , where pro-Russian forces seized effective military control earlier this year and a hasty referendum chose independence from Ukraine , followed by Crimea 's annexation by Russia . Hagel rejected any finality to the Crimea annexation , saying the United States and most of the world did n't accept it . The United Nations overwhelmingly condemned the move , he noted , and the United States and its European allies imposed new economic sanctions with more pending if the situation worsens . `` Russia has done great damage to its standing in the world , '' Hagel said , adding that the sanctions will hurt . `` There may be more consequences so I do n't agree that they have gotten away with this , '' he said . `` Yes , they are still in Crimea . Yes , they still have troops on the border , but these are long-term dynamics that need to play out . '' Russia isolated . Russia has `` really isolated itself in a global community that Russia needs , '' Hagel argued , adding that `` we all need to be part of a global community for our own economic interests as well as security and stability . '' The United States and others have accused Russia of fomenting the separatist unrest in eastern Ukraine as a pretext for military intervention . Hagel said the United States and NATO remained `` vigilant '' about the Russian troop buildup along the Ukraine border , adding that `` we are always looking at the options that we need to take . '' So far , the Western allies have boosted the number of jet fighters patrolling the region and suspended all military cooperation with Russia . Hagel said that Gen. Philip Breedlove , NATO 's supreme allied commander in Europe , has been asked to come up with `` new and additional measures and options . '' Secretary of State John Kerry warned Tuesday of increased sanctions targeting Russia 's banking , energy , mining and arms sectors if the Russians `` cross over '' into eastern Ukraine . Current sanctions target individuals over the Crimean annexation . Fort Hood shootings . On another issue in the news , Hagel told CNN that the latest shootings at Fort Hood in Texas would be thoroughly investigated to find any problems , but he did n't think it reflected a deeper problem in security at military bases . A soldier who brought a personal handgun onto the base in violation of regulations allegedly killed three people and wounded 16 before taking his own life . Last week 's shootings occurred five years after an Army major killed 13 people and wounded 32 in an attack at Fort Hood . Security changes followed that attack , including restrictions on personal firearms on the base . `` If there was an issue here , a procedure or process that was n't followed , we 'll find out , '' Hagel said of the recent Fort Hood shooting . `` If we need to do new things in order to protect that base and all bases , we will do it.. '' He noted that security generally is good at the thousands of U.S. military installations , but added that even one attack on soldiers at a base `` is too many . '' Hagel becomes the first foreigner to visit Chinese aircraft carrier . Building trust with China . Hagel 's visit to China came amid tensions between Beijing and U.S. ally Japan over disputed islands in the East China Sea , as well as American concerns over China 's role in cyberattacks on U.S. businesses . In the interview , he said that despite differences with China , a series of steps continued to expand contacts and improve cooperation between the armed forces of the the two nations . As an example , he noted eight new military-to-military initiatives he signed with China 's defense minister . `` Now , this does n't resolve every difference , every challenge and question that we have , '' Hagel said . `` But it continues to build a floor , a confidence and trust in each other , opening up more dialogue , opening up more conversation -- direct , clear conversation -- about controversial issues . '' In addition , Hagel became the first foreigner allowed to board the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning , an event he called `` a big deal . '' At the same time , he reiterated the U.S. commitment to a mutual self-defense treaty with Japan , but emphasized that `` this is not a zero-sum game '' between relations with Tokyo or China . `` We all need to get along in the world through peace , prosperity , stability , security , '' Hagel said . `` It 's in China 's interests . It 's in America 's interests . It 's in all of our interests . '' CNN 's Jamie Crawford and Jennifer Rizzo contributed to this report , which was reported by Jim Sciutto in Beijing and written by Tom Cohen in Washington .
CNN 's Jim Sciutto interviewed Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel during his visit to China . Hagel says sanctions and isolation ##ism hurt Russia . Not a matter of ` ` " or two days or one or two weeks , '' he says . NEW : Hagel supports efforts to build trust with China despite differences .