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Readout of the President’s Call with President Putin; Statement by the Press Secretary on Ukraine
The White House ^ | Sunday, March 16, 2014 | Obama Press Office

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 Russia’s actions were in violation of Ukraine’s 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 Ukraine’s 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 Ukraine’s 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 Ukraine’s eastern border.

Russia’s 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 Russia’s 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 Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

###


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: crimea; obama; putin; ukraine
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1 posted on 03/16/2014 4:14:24 PM PDT by kristinn
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To: kristinn

Obama sure as hell will not speak up for US sovereignty.

Odd isn’t it?


2 posted on 03/16/2014 4:16:11 PM PDT by dforest
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To: kristinn

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?


3 posted on 03/16/2014 4:20:12 PM PDT by wiggen (The teacher card. When the racism card just won't work.)
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To: kristinn

Putin ended the call with, “Now go home and get your effing shinebox.”


4 posted on 03/16/2014 4:23:06 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: dforest

“..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.


5 posted on 03/16/2014 4:26:07 PM PDT by EagleUSA
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To: EagleUSA

Ah come on. Obama never gets in trouble for lying, killing, or even just being stupid.


6 posted on 03/16/2014 4:28:19 PM PDT by dforest
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To: kristinn

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.


7 posted on 03/16/2014 4:32:13 PM PDT by ctdonath2 (Making good people helpless doesn't make bad people harmless.)
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To: kristinn
How pathetic he sounds , when he denies true democracy - the expression of the people's choice and will. GFY, Obama.

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.


8 posted on 03/16/2014 4:32:23 PM PDT by Marguerite (When I'm good, I'm very good, but when I'm bad, I'm even better)
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To: dforest

I bet Clown Prince nobama reads a script when (if) he ever talks to anyone on the phone...except when he talks to reggie.


9 posted on 03/16/2014 4:32:54 PM PDT by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp?)
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To: kristinn

Walk loudly but carry a limp d@ck. not a winning strategy. On either score.


10 posted on 03/16/2014 4:36:40 PM PDT by faithhopecharity ("H)
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To: dfwgator

We all know how that ended for Billy Batts...!


11 posted on 03/16/2014 4:42:07 PM PDT by karnage
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To: karnage

Obama is no Joe Pesci.


12 posted on 03/16/2014 4:42:33 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: Marguerite

Yes. Putin’s gunpoint democracy. Nothing heart-elating in piecemeal reconstitution of Soviet Union.


13 posted on 03/16/2014 4:45:02 PM PDT by kristinn (Welcome to the Soviet States of Obama)
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To: Marguerite
This election is as honest as the ones Saddam Hussein used to hold. Total BS from another Putin worshiper.
14 posted on 03/16/2014 4:47:04 PM PDT by Red White and Blue patriot (USA all the way. Love it or Leave it. Better dead than Red. Putin = Hitler 2014)
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To: ctdonath2

“England didn’t think the Declaration Of Independence was “legal” either.”

They have another one coming up this september - Scotland.


15 posted on 03/16/2014 4:48:55 PM PDT by aquila48
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To: Red White and Blue patriot

Yeah, this election was about as honest and fair as the last US election.


16 posted on 03/16/2014 4:55:06 PM PDT by dforest
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To: kristinn

Eat your heart out.
You’re stuck with a bumbling idiot in the White House.


17 posted on 03/16/2014 4:55:59 PM PDT by Marguerite (When I'm good, I'm very good, but when I'm bad, I'm even better)
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To: Red White and Blue patriot

Yadda-yadda-yadda.


18 posted on 03/16/2014 4:57:57 PM PDT by Marguerite (When I'm good, I'm very good, but when I'm bad, I'm even better)
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To: kristinn

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.


19 posted on 03/16/2014 4:59:45 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: aquila48

Now that is going to be an interesting election.


20 posted on 03/16/2014 5:04:20 PM PDT by Bogie
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