Amid the escalating crisis in Ukraine, US President Barack Obama has warned Russia against any military intervention in the trouble-torn nation, saying such an approach will entail “costs”.
“We are now deeply concerned by reports of military movements taken by the Russian Federation inside of Ukraine,” Obama said, noting: “It would represent a profound interference in matters that must be determined by the Ukrainian people.”
Terming moves of the kind “a clear violation of Russia’s commitment to respect the independence and sovereignty and borders of Ukraine, and of international laws”, Obama declared: “The United States will stand with the international community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine.”
“Throughout this crisis, we have been very clear about one fundamental principle: The Ukrainian people deserve the opportunity to determine their own future,” he said, adding: “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.”
Obama, who had spoken with President Putin a few days ago, said it has been made clear to Russia that “they can be part of an international community’s effort to support the stability and success of a united Ukraine going forward, which is not only in the interest of the people of Ukraine and the international community, but also in Russia’s interest”.
He conceded that Russia has a historic relationship with Ukraine, including cultural and economic ties, and a military facility in Crimea, but stressed that “any violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of Ukraine, Russia, or Europe”.
Noting that the situation remains very fluid, Obama said the United States would support the Ukraine Government “in this difficult moment” even as he commended its “restraint” and “commitment to uphold its international obligations”.
"We will continue to coordinate closely with our European allies. We will continue to communicate directly with the Russian government,” Obama said as he delivered the statement, but declined to take questions from reporters.