General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSummary of 90 minute call between PBO and Putin today
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10669670/Ukraine-live-Crimea-leader-appeals-to-Putin-to-help-as-Obama-warns-of-costs-to-Moscow.htmlFirst, PBO:
"President Obama spoke for 90 minutes this afternoon with President Putin of Russia about the situation in Ukraine. President Obama expressed his deep concern over Russia's clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is a breach of international law, including Russias obligations under the UN Charter, and of its 1997 military basing agreement with Ukraine, and which is inconsistent with the 1994 Budapest Memorandum and the Helsinki Final Act. The United States condemns Russias military intervention into Ukrainian territory.
"The United States calls on Russia to de-escalate tensions by withdrawing its forces back to bases in Crimea and to refrain from any interference elsewhere in Ukraine. We have consistently said that we recognize Russias deep historic and cultural ties to Ukraine and the need to protect the rights of ethnic Russian and minority populations within Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has made clear its commitment to protect the rights of all Ukrainians and to abide by Ukraines international commitments, and we will continue to urge them to do so.
"President Obama told President Putin that, if Russia has concerns about the treatment of ethnic Russian and minority populations in Ukraine, the appropriate way to address them is peacefully through direct engagement with the government of Ukraine and through the dispatch of international observers under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). As a member of both organizations, Russia would be able to participate. President Obama urged an immediate effort to initiate a dialogue between Russia and the Ukrainian government, with international facilitation, as appropriate. The United States is prepared to participate.
More at link above. Now, for Putin:
http://eng.kremlin.ru/news/6752
The two presidents discussed in detail various aspects of the extraordinary situation in Ukraine.
In reply to Mr Obamas concern over the possibility of the use of Russian armed forces on the territory of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin drew his attention to the provocative and criminal actions on the part of ultranationalists who are in fact being supported by the current authorities in Kiev.
The Russian President spoke of a real threat to the lives and health of Russian citizens and the many compatriots who are currently on Ukrainian territory. Vladimir Putin stressed that in case of any further spread of violence to Eastern Ukraine and Crimea, Russia retains the right to protect its interests and the Russian-speaking population of those areas.
alarimer
(16,245 posts)Or just spin.
kelly1mm
(4,735 posts)steve2470
(37,457 posts)For Immediate Release March 01, 2014
Readout of President Obamas Call with President Putin
President Obama spoke for 90 minutes this afternoon with President Putin of Russia about the situation in Ukraine. President Obama expressed his deep concern over Russias clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is a breach of international law, including Russias obligations under the UN Charter, and of its 1997 military basing agreement with Ukraine, and which is inconsistent with the 1994 Budapest Memorandum and the Helsinki Final Act. The United States condemns Russias military intervention into Ukrainian territory.
The United States calls on Russia to de-escalate tensions by withdrawing its forces back to bases in Crimea and to refrain from any interference elsewhere in Ukraine. We have consistently said that we recognize Russias deep historic and cultural ties to Ukraine and the need to protect the rights of ethnic Russian and minority populations within Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has made clear its commitment to protect the rights of all Ukrainians and to abide by Ukraines international commitments, and we will continue to urge them to do so.
President Obama told President Putin that, if Russia has concerns about the treatment of ethnic Russian and minority populations in Ukraine, the appropriate way to address them is peacefully through direct engagement with the government of Ukraine and through the dispatch of international observers under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). As a member of both organizations, Russia would be able to participate. President Obama urged an immediate effort to initiate a dialogue between Russia and the Ukrainian government, with international facilitation, as appropriate. The United States is prepared to participate.
President Obama made clear that Russias continued violation of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity would negatively impact Russias standing in the international community. In the coming hours and days, the United States will urgently consult with allies and partners in the UN Security Council, the North Atlantic Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and with the signatories of the Budapest Memorandum. The United States will suspend upcoming participation in preparatory meetings for the G-8. Going forward, Russias continued violation of international law will lead to greater political and economic isolation.
The people of Ukraine have the right to determine their own future. President Obama has directed his Administration to continue working urgently with international partners to provide support for the Ukrainian government, including urgent technical and financial assistance. Going forward, we will continue consulting closely with allies and partners, the Ukrainian government and the International Monetary Fund, to provide the new government with significant assistance to secure financial stability, to support needed reforms, to allow Ukraine to conduct successful elections, and to support Ukraine as it pursues a democratic future.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)LiberalEsto
(22,845 posts)and Russian control over Ukraine. Putin will get his way.
This will also heighten Russia's sense of being entitled to take over Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and other former soviet republics whenever Putin feels like it. The U.S, and NATO won't dare do a thing out of concern it could trigger a major war.
I don't want to see military intervention by the U.S. or NATO, but I fervently hope there is some other way to stop Putin and his imperialist insanity.
ScreamingMeemie
(68,918 posts)I have not been this worried in a long time.
ProdigalJunkMail
(12,017 posts)as members of NATO we are bound to protect them... and if no one shows any backbone in Ukraine, they will look like tasty targets...
sP
1000words
(7,051 posts)The White House and State Dept. will make a stink, but there's not much they are going to to do
LiberalEsto
(22,845 posts)I guess he thinks he's in charge of everything.
1000words
(7,051 posts)Forbes did claim him to be the most powerful man in the world.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinehoward/2013/10/30/the-worlds-most-powerful-people-2013/
Not to mention, he rides a hog:
justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)Also, we have a lot of Russian nationals in the US... does that mean Putin has the right to bring his Army here and protect them?
LisaL
(44,974 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)amandabeech
(9,893 posts)I guess the Russian air force will be landing at Dulles and Thurgood Marshall BWI soon. National's (DCA) runways will probably be too short for any military plane.
All the figure skating coaches and computer techies can just board and go home along with the DPL folks. And the spooks.
Putin is just so nekulturny.