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Ukraine crisis: Barack Obama imposes sanctions on Russian individuals, calls on diplomatic solution in call with Vladimir Putin Ukraine crisis: Barack Obama warns of further sanctions on Russia, Vladimir Putin brushes all threats aside
(about 1 hour later)
The US and EU have moved to impose financial sanction on the Russian government and Russian individuals, as the worst diplomatic crisis between Russia and the west since the end of the cold war continues.The US and EU have moved to impose financial sanction on the Russian government and Russian individuals, as the worst diplomatic crisis between Russia and the west since the end of the cold war continues.
US President Barack Obama has ordered sanctions on Russian and Ukrainian peoples involved in Moscow's military intervention in Crimea, including travel bans and freezing of their US assets.US President Barack Obama has ordered sanctions on Russian and Ukrainian peoples involved in Moscow's military intervention in Crimea, including travel bans and freezing of their US assets.
The EU meanwhile announced limited punitive measures against Vladimir Putin's government, including the suspension of trade and visa talks. Both said sanctions will be furthered if Russia does not withdraw its forces back to their base in Crimea. In a co-ordinated effort, the EU announced limited punitive measures against Vladimir Putin's government, including the suspension of trade and visa talks. Both said sanctions will be furthered if Russia does not withdraw its forces back to their base in Crimea.
The announcement follows NATO's decision on Wednesday to curb its cooperation with Moscow, a move which Russia's Foreign Ministry on Friday branded a “biased and prejudiced approach”. Mr Putin has however brushed the threats aside, and in an hour long conversation with Mr Obama, defended Russia’s intervention in Ukraine as consistent with international law.
“We see as extremely dangerous attempts to bring in the 'NATO factor' to Ukraine, where the situation is complex and delicate as it is, as it creates additional tension and undermines the prospects for settling the situation,” the ministry said in a statement. A statement published on the Kremlin website early on Friday said that during the call, Mr Putin condemned the newly formed Kiev government as the result of an “anti-constitutional coup” and said Russia was “ unable to ignore” requests for protection from Ukraine's Russia-leaning east and south.
During the phone call, Mr Obama said the situation could be solved diplomatically in a way that addressed the interests of Russia, Ukraine and the international community, according to the White House.
In a meeting with the head of the Crimean parliament on Friday, the speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament  said Crimea would be welcomed as an equal part of Russia if the region votes to leave Ukraine.
Earlier this week MPs in the autonomous Crimea region abruptly voted to join the Russian Federation and announced a March 16 region wide referendum in order to strengthen their position.
Mr Putin said Russia had no intention of annexing Crimea, while insisting its population has the right to determine the region's status in a referendum.
The US and EU have claimed such referendum would be against the Ukrainian constitution and in violation of international law.
Wading into the debate, China, which often stands with Russia on many global issues, said on Friday that sanctions are not the best way to resolve the crisis.
US officials said a list of people targeted by the sanctions had not yet been drawn up but added that the Russian President would not be one of them.US officials said a list of people targeted by the sanctions had not yet been drawn up but added that the Russian President would not be one of them.
The order targets any assets held in the US by “individuals and entities” responsible for the Russian military intervention in Ukraine, threatening its territorial integrity or seeking to assert governmental authority over any part of Ukraine, without authorisation from the government in Kiev.The order targets any assets held in the US by “individuals and entities” responsible for the Russian military intervention in Ukraine, threatening its territorial integrity or seeking to assert governmental authority over any part of Ukraine, without authorisation from the government in Kiev.
“I am confident that we are moving forward together, united in our determination to oppose actions that violate international law and to support the government and people of Ukraine,” Mr Obama said.“I am confident that we are moving forward together, united in our determination to oppose actions that violate international law and to support the government and people of Ukraine,” Mr Obama said.
In an hour long conversation with Mr Obama, Mr Putin defended Russia’s intervention in Ukraine as consistent with international law.
A statement published on the Kremlin website said that during the call, Mr Putin condemned the newly formed Kiev government as the result of an “anti-constitutional coup” and said Russia was “ unable to ignore” requests for protection from Ukraine's Russia-leaning east and south.
Mr Putin stressed the importance of Russian-American relations, and said he hoped they would not become “a victim of disagreement” on certain issues.
During the phone call, Mr Obama said the situation could be solved diplomatically in a way that addressed the interests of Russia, Ukraine and the international community, according to the White House.
Mr Obama, appearing in the White House press room hours after signing the order, said the US sanctions were meant to impose costs on Russia for its actions.Mr Obama, appearing in the White House press room hours after signing the order, said the US sanctions were meant to impose costs on Russia for its actions.
“While we take these steps, I want to be clear that there is also a way to resolve this crisis that respects the interests of the Russian Federation, as well as the Ukrainian people,” the US President said, calling for international monitors to be allowed into Ukraine as well as direct talks between Moscow and Kiev.“While we take these steps, I want to be clear that there is also a way to resolve this crisis that respects the interests of the Russian Federation, as well as the Ukrainian people,” the US President said, calling for international monitors to be allowed into Ukraine as well as direct talks between Moscow and Kiev.
“Russia would maintain its (military) basing rights in Crimea, provided that it abides by its agreements and respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. And the world should support the people of Ukraine as they move to elections in May,” he said, calling that the “path to de-escalation.”“Russia would maintain its (military) basing rights in Crimea, provided that it abides by its agreements and respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. And the world should support the people of Ukraine as they move to elections in May,” he said, calling that the “path to de-escalation.”
The moves come as MPs in the autonomous Crimea region abruptly voted to join the Russian Federation and announced a March 16 region wide referendum in order to strengthen their position. Russia's Foreign Ministry meanwhile has branded NATO's decision to curb its corporation with Russia as a “biased and prejudiced approach”.
The US and EU have claimed such referendum would be against the Ukrainian constitution and in violation of international law. “We see as extremely dangerous attempts to bring in the 'NATO factor' to Ukraine, where the situation is complex and delicate as it is, as it creates additional tension and undermines the prospects for settling the situation,” the ministry said in a statement.
Earlier this week, Mr Putin said Russia had no intention of annexing Crimea, while insisting its population has the right to determine the region's status in a referendum.
Separately, the US House of Representatives passed a bill backing loan guarantees for the new government in Kiev. The US Senate is expected to consider a similar bill backing $1 billion in loan guarantees next week.Separately, the US House of Representatives passed a bill backing loan guarantees for the new government in Kiev. The US Senate is expected to consider a similar bill backing $1 billion in loan guarantees next week.