Readout of the President?s Call with President Putin
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.
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