Denouncing Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine, US President Barack Obama has called upon his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to de-escalate tensions by withdrawing its forces back to bases in Crimea and refrain from any interference elsewhere in the trouble-torn nation.
During a 90-minute phone call with Putin on Saturday even as Russian forces took control of vital installations across the Crimean Peninsula, Obama expressed his “deep concern over Russia’s clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
“The United States condemns Russia’s military intervention into Ukrainian territory,” a White House statement said later. It spoke of Russia’s obligations under the UN Charter, and of its 1997 military basing agreement with Ukraine.
Warning Russia that “continued violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would negatively impact Russia’s standing in the international community”, the statement said the US will urgently consult with allies and partners in the UN Security Council, the North Atlantic Council and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
The White House also announced that the US would suspend upcoming participation in preparatory meetings for the G-8 to be held in Sochi, Russia. France and Canada also made similar announcements after Obama held telephone conversations with their leaders.
Reacting to Putin’s concerns about the welfare of ethnic Russian and minority populations in Ukraine, the statement said the appropriate way to go about this issue is through direct engagement with the government of Ukraine and through the dispatch of international observers under the auspices of UN Security Council or the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
“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,” it said.
Obama has separately directed his administration to “continue working urgently with international partners to provide support for the Ukrainian government, including urgent technical and financial assistance”.