Posted on 03/16/2014 4:14:24 PM PDT by kristinn
President Obama spoke this afternoon with President Putin of Russia. President Obama emphasized that the Crimean referendum, which violates the Ukrainian constitution and occurred under duress of Russian military intervention, would never be recognized by the United States and the international community. He emphasized that Russias actions were in violation of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity and that, in coordination with our European partners, we are prepared to impose additional costs on Russia for its actions. President Obama underscored that there remains a clear path for resolving this crisis diplomatically, in a way that addresses the interests of both Russia and the people of Ukraine. He noted that the Ukrainian government continues to take concrete steps that would allow for the de-escalation of the crisis, particularly as it prepares for elections this Spring and undertakes constitutional reform, and he asked that Russia support the immediate deployment of international monitors to help prevent acts of violence by any groups. President Obama reiterated that a diplomatic resolution cannot be achieved while Russian military forces continue their incursions into Ukrainian territory and that the large-scale Russian military exercises on Ukraines borders only exacerbate the tension. President Obama said that Secretary Kerry continues to be prepared to work together with Foreign Minister Lavrov and the Ukrainian government to find a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
Statement by the Press Secretary on Ukraine
The United States has steadfastly supported the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine since it declared its independence in 1991, and we reject the referendum that took place today in the Crimean region of Ukraine. This referendum is contrary to Ukraines constitution, and the international community will not recognize the results of a poll administered under threats of violence and intimidation from a Russian military intervention that violates international law.
No decisions should be made about the future of Ukraine without the Ukrainian government. Moreover, this vote was not necessary. The Ukrainian government has made clear its willingness to discuss increased autonomy for Crimea, and the presidential elections planned for May 25 provide a legitimate opportunity for all Ukrainians to make their voices heard on the future of their country.
In addition, Ukraine, the United States, the EU, the OSCE, the UN, and others have called for Russia to allow international monitors into the Crimean peninsula to ensure that the rights of ethnic Russians in Ukraine are being upheld. Russia has spurned those calls as well as outreach from the Ukrainian government and instead has escalated its military intervention into Crimea and initiated threatening military exercises on Ukraines eastern border.
Russias actions are dangerous and destabilizing. The UN Security Council recognized this in a vote yesterday that only Russia opposed. As the United States and our allies have made clear, military intervention and violation of international law will bring increasing costs for Russia not only due to measures imposed by the United States and our allies but also as a direct result of Russias own destabilizing actions.
In this century, we are long past the days when the international community will stand quietly by while one country forcibly seizes the territory of another. We call on all members of the international community to continue to condemn such actions, to take concrete steps to impose costs, and to stand together in support of the Ukrainian people and Ukraines territorial integrity and sovereignty.
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Obama sure as hell will not speak up for US sovereignty.
Odd isn’t it?
long past the day when the international community will stand by quietly? LOL @ Obama. Does he think holding his breath and throwing a vocal tantrum is anything but standing by?
Putin ended the call with, “Now go home and get your effing shinebox.”
“..Obama sure as hell will not speak up for US sovereignty.”
::::::::::
If he did that, he would be lying and he might get in trouble for that.
Ah come on. Obama never gets in trouble for lying, killing, or even just being stupid.
England didn’t think the Declaration Of Independence was “legal” either.
Comes a point when the people decide to scrap that which contains no process for scrapping itself.
Vox Populi, Vox Dei.
Good speed to the population of Crimea, I wish them success and happiness. The images from Simferopol and Sevastopol are heart elating.
I bet Clown Prince nobama reads a script when (if) he ever talks to anyone on the phone...except when he talks to reggie.
Walk loudly but carry a limp d@ck. not a winning strategy. On either score.
We all know how that ended for Billy Batts...!
Obama is no Joe Pesci.
Yes. Putin’s gunpoint democracy. Nothing heart-elating in piecemeal reconstitution of Soviet Union.
“England didnt think the Declaration Of Independence was legal either.”
They have another one coming up this september - Scotland.
Yeah, this election was about as honest and fair as the last US election.
Eat your heart out.
You’re stuck with a bumbling idiot in the White House.
Yadda-yadda-yadda.
Putin reminded him about self-determination and respecting the will of the Crimean people and told him to take a hike.
Obama does not strike me as being forceful to foreign leaders.
Now that is going to be an interesting election.
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