This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/22/russia-ukraine-crimea-belbek-white-house-response

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
White House responds cautiously to Russian takeover of Crimea air base White House responds cautiously to Russian takeover of Crimea airbase
(35 minutes later)
The White House on Saturday responded cautiously to the news that Russian troops had forced their way into a Ukrainian airbase in Crimea.The White House on Saturday responded cautiously to the news that Russian troops had forced their way into a Ukrainian airbase in Crimea.
Reuters reported that one Ukrainian serviceman had been injured and that the commander of the base, in Belbek, had been taken away by the Russian troops. Shots were fired in the incident.Reuters reported that one Ukrainian serviceman had been injured and that the commander of the base, in Belbek, had been taken away by the Russian troops. Shots were fired in the incident.
Laura Lucas Magnuson, a spokeswoman for President Barack Obama's National Security Council, issued a statement, saying: “As we have said, the Russian military is directly responsible for any casualties that its forces – whether they be regular uniformed troops or irregulars without insignias – inflict on Ukrainian military members.”Laura Lucas Magnuson, a spokeswoman for President Barack Obama's National Security Council, issued a statement, saying: “As we have said, the Russian military is directly responsible for any casualties that its forces – whether they be regular uniformed troops or irregulars without insignias – inflict on Ukrainian military members.”
Magnuson added that the incident "highlight[s] the dangerous situation created by Russia and belies President Putin's claim that Russia's military intervention in Crimea has brought security to that part of Ukraine."Magnuson added that the incident "highlight[s] the dangerous situation created by Russia and belies President Putin's claim that Russia's military intervention in Crimea has brought security to that part of Ukraine."
Obama was due to leave Washington on Sunday for a trip to Europe, during which the US hopes to increase Russia's international isolation over its occupation of Crimea. Meetings with the leaders of Japan and China were added to his itinerary; he will also meet the leaders of the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy, and later the king of Saudi Arabia.Obama was due to leave Washington on Sunday for a trip to Europe, during which the US hopes to increase Russia's international isolation over its occupation of Crimea. Meetings with the leaders of Japan and China were added to his itinerary; he will also meet the leaders of the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy, and later the king of Saudi Arabia.
On Saturday, US trade representative Michael Froman said the Ukraine crisis added to the case for a US-EU trade pact.On Saturday, US trade representative Michael Froman said the Ukraine crisis added to the case for a US-EU trade pact.
"Right now, as we look around the world, there is a powerful reason for Europe and the United States to come together to demonstrate that they can take their relationship to a new level," Froman told reporters in Brussels. "Recent developments just underscore the importance of the transatlantic relationship."Right now, as we look around the world, there is a powerful reason for Europe and the United States to come together to demonstrate that they can take their relationship to a new level," Froman told reporters in Brussels. "Recent developments just underscore the importance of the transatlantic relationship.
"From both a strategic and economic perspective, the rationale for the T-TIP could never be stronger," he said, referring to the proposed accord's official name, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership."From both a strategic and economic perspective, the rationale for the T-TIP could never be stronger," he said, referring to the proposed accord's official name, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
Brussels and Washington say a trade pact could generate $100bn in economic output a year on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as creating a market of 800 million consumers. Since talks were launched eight months ago, however, reports of US spying in Europe and accusations that an accord would pander to big companies have combined to erode public support.Brussels and Washington say a trade pact could generate $100bn in economic output a year on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as creating a market of 800 million consumers. Since talks were launched eight months ago, however, reports of US spying in Europe and accusations that an accord would pander to big companies have combined to erode public support.
Moscow's seizure of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine and Europe's reliance on Russian energy have focused minds across Europe about the need for stronger ties with the US. On Saturday, European trade commissioner Karel De Gucht warned that Russia was no longer a reliable partner.Moscow's seizure of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine and Europe's reliance on Russian energy have focused minds across Europe about the need for stronger ties with the US. On Saturday, European trade commissioner Karel De Gucht warned that Russia was no longer a reliable partner.
"We should have a very clear idea of what Russia is doing by annexing Crimea. It doesn't have a place in normal international relations," De Gucht told a conference alongside Froman."We should have a very clear idea of what Russia is doing by annexing Crimea. It doesn't have a place in normal international relations," De Gucht told a conference alongside Froman.
"Do we have to swallow that? I think there is a price for that and I think we should be very clear, the EU and the United States together, that they [Russia] simply cannot do this.""Do we have to swallow that? I think there is a price for that and I think we should be very clear, the EU and the United States together, that they [Russia] simply cannot do this."
De Gucht declined to say if he backed a trade embargo.De Gucht declined to say if he backed a trade embargo.
Russian troops entered Crimea three weeks ago; last Sunday a referendum in the region which the US and most of the international community refused to recognise returned an overwhelming majority for secession from Ukraine and union with Russia.Russian troops entered Crimea three weeks ago; last Sunday a referendum in the region which the US and most of the international community refused to recognise returned an overwhelming majority for secession from Ukraine and union with Russia.
On Thursday, Obama imposed new sanctions on Russia, targeting President Vladimir Putin and key allies. The European Union followed suit on Friday, the same day Russia agreed to allow a team of monitors from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe into Ukraine. On Saturday, Russia indicated that it might impose sanctions in return.On Thursday, Obama imposed new sanctions on Russia, targeting President Vladimir Putin and key allies. The European Union followed suit on Friday, the same day Russia agreed to allow a team of monitors from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe into Ukraine. On Saturday, Russia indicated that it might impose sanctions in return.
Also on Saturday, the Polish defence minister, Tomasz Simoniek, said the US was open to increasing its military presence in his country and eastern Europe. Speaking after the visit to Poland and other countries by vice-president Joe Biden this week, Simoniek said: “The US must increase its presence in [central and eastern] Europe, also in Poland.Also on Saturday, the Polish defence minister, Tomasz Simoniek, said the US was open to increasing its military presence in his country and eastern Europe. Speaking after the visit to Poland and other countries by vice-president Joe Biden this week, Simoniek said: “The US must increase its presence in [central and eastern] Europe, also in Poland.
“We will be talking about the details and I am happy that representatives of the US, the US vice-president are open towards these talks.”“We will be talking about the details and I am happy that representatives of the US, the US vice-president are open towards these talks.”
Biden this week confirmed plans to deploy elements of a US missile shield in Poland by 2018. The country already hosts a small contingent of US servicemen, which trains Polish pilots. Earlier this month, the US agreed to send the country 12 F16 fighter jets and 300 personnel.Biden this week confirmed plans to deploy elements of a US missile shield in Poland by 2018. The country already hosts a small contingent of US servicemen, which trains Polish pilots. Earlier this month, the US agreed to send the country 12 F16 fighter jets and 300 personnel.
Reuters contributed to this reportReuters contributed to this report