As the situation in Ukraine's autonomous republic of Crimea escalated on Feb. 28, U.S. President Barack Obama warned that "there will be costs" for any military intervention in Ukraine.
U.S. President Barack Obama warns Russia against launching a military intervention against Ukraine.
Text of Obama’s remarks on Ukraine
Obama, speaking from the White House briefing room, said that Ukrainians deserve the opportunity to determine their own future and that the U.S. over the last several days has been
monitoring closely the events as they unfold in the former Soviet country.
“Together with our European allies we have urged an end to
the violence and encouraged Ukrainians to pursue a course in which they stabilize their country, forge a broad-based government and move to elections this spring,” he said.
The president added that he had also spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and made clear “they can be part of
the international community’s effort to support the stability and success of a
united Ukraine going forward, which is not only in the interest of Ukriane… but
also the international community.
“However we are now deeply concerned by military movements taken by the Russian Federation inside of Ukraine,” Obama said.
“Russia has a historic
relationship with Ukraine, including a cultural and economic ties. And a military facility in Crimea. But a violation
of Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity would be deeply destablizing, which is
not in the interests of Ukraine, Russia or Europe,” he added.
“It would be a clear violation of Russia’s commitment to respect Ukraine’s independence and sovereign borders, and to Ukrainian and international laws,” the president said.
Just after the Sochi Olympic games, he said, Russian intervention in Crimea “would invite
international condemnation from countries around the world. And indeed, the United States will stand with the international community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine.”
“The events of the past several months remind us of how difficult
democracy can be in a country with deep divisions,” the president said. “But the Ukrainian people have
reminded us that human beings have a universal right to determine their own
future.
“Right now the situation remains very fluid. Vice President Joe Biden just spoke with the prime minister of Ukraine (Arseniy Yatseniuk) to
ensure him the United States supports his efforts and stands for sovereignty,
territorial integrity and the democratic future of Ukraine,” he said, adding that he commended the Ukrainian government’s
restraint and its ability to uphold its international obligations.
“We will continue to coordinate closely with our European allies,” Obama said. “We will continue to communicate with the Russian government, and continue to keep all
of you in the press corps and the American people informed as events develop.”
