Obama imposes sanctions on Russian officials, ousted Ukrainian president

Chicago Tribune ^ | March 17, 2014

[Jim Robinson]

KIEV, Ukraine— Obama on Monday imposed sanctions on 11 Russian and Ukrainian officials blamed for Russia's military incursion into Crimea, including two top aides to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The sanctions were the most visible sign of U.S. anger at Russia's attempt to absorb the Crimea region of southern Ukraine, reflecting the deepest plunge in U.S.-Russian relations since the Cold War.

The sanctions came in an executive order signed by Obama a day after a Crimea referendum on Sunday aimed at allowing Russia to annex the autonomous region, a vote that the United States says was illegal and would never be recognized by Washington.

During a White House press briefing, Obama warned that continued Russian military intervention in Ukraine would only increase Russia's isolation and exact a greater toll on its economy.

"If Russia continues to interfere in Ukraine, we stand ready to impose further sanctions," he said.

[Jim Robinson]

And there you have it, folks. BAM!

Putin will never dare step over another Obama red line./

[AU72]

But no sanctions for Putin!

[ConservativeMan55]

LOL

[allendale]

Whatever happened to those unified severe Western sanctions that Kerry said were coming? Pouting and whining are no substitute for effective leadership.

[Sacajaweau]

Can’t...head of state...

[matt04]

The Russians and the world are laughing at Obamas handling of this.

[elephantlips]

“Do that and I will taunt you again!”

[Grampa Dave]

"Putin will never dare step over another Obama red line." "Obama has made it clear to the world that when confronted with a crisis, he will do nothing. This reduces his options to zero and puts the United States and the world into a situation where rogue nations, non-state organizations, and gangs of thugs can do as they please with no fear of any meaningful response from the U.S. It makes the world a much more dangerous place."

Thanks to Daniel Greenfield for the remarks below to explain where we are with Obozo as POTUS in The Post American order.

The Post-American order stands for nothing except its own dismantling. That is why Obama sets red lines that he won’t enforce and issues threats that he doesn’t mean.

The only thing less appealing than selfishness is the complete absence of self. The only thing less appealing than empire is an anti-imperialism that so thoroughly negates its own power that it has no influence and no reason to exist.

Post-American America exists to destroy itself. Until that changes, it has nothing to offer the world except membership in a suicide pact.

[Obadiah]

[Sacajaweau]

The EU is going to be the big loser in this and they know it. Obama isn’t helping right now.

[silverleaf]

Sanctions by executive order is a very very bad way to make US foreign policy, given that a misstep by one thin skinned unhinged man can lead to war.

That’s why I thought we had a Senate to deliberate on that.

[bigbob]

[jazusamo]

Obama must have world leaders shaking in their boots. lol

[pgkdan]

During a White House press briefing, Obama warned that continued Russian military intervention in Ukraine would only increase Russia's isolation and exact a greater toll on its economy.

Just exactly who is isolated obammy? You're out there all by your lonesome you pathetic loser.

[VRWC For Truth]

Mom jeans has his knickers in a bunch.

[lodi90]

A travel ban on 11 people. Wow.

Putin’s response will be to send more Russian troops into Ukraine outside of Crimea. He already has some in Kherson. That will make the kenyan and the EU look like the impotent fools that they are.

[xzins]

A small list of people:

1. Can’t travel to the US

2. Have their US bank accounts frozen

That’ll stop ‘em. Mine is paying about 1% interest.

While travel in the US is a big deal to me, I assume these guys’ bucket lists include countries other than the US of A.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Unless he puts the hurt on the 40 or so Russian oligarchs Putey workd for its not going to have any effect.

[silverleaf]

Surely when Putin (and the Chinese) bail out of the USD, Angela Merkel will stand with the man whose NSA spied on her

I would watch China closely for defensive financial moves to protect itself and to stand by Putin. The precedent he is establishing in Crimea could prove quite useful to future Chinese territorial ex[pansion

[1Old Pro]

Obama, let’s not let him answer the 2am phone calls. Can we call forward to Dick Cheney or someone else?

Obama is too busy worrying about his next vacation and how best to implement socialism.