Both leaders agreed on the need to create a contact group in order to settle the current crisis in Ukraine as soon as possible. This will require Russia’s consent. Otherwise, the West will be prepared to take new measures against Moscow, which will “have a substantial impact on relations between the international community and Russia.”
“In the current serious circumstances, they stressed the importance for Russia to accept the formation of a contact group for initiating dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, in order to promote a peaceful way out of the crisis promptly and fully restore the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” the Elysee Palace said.
- Hollande and Obama pointed to the absence of any legal basis for the proposed referendum in Crimea on March 16 and stressed the need for Russia to withdraw its forces sent to Crimea since the end of February and do everything possible to enable the deployment of international observers on the peninsula.
- They also “agreed to continue their support for the new authorities in Ukraine, as well as the preparation, under international control and greater transparency, of the presidential election on May 25. They scored the importance of continuing to coordinate the positions between the European Union and the United States,” the Elysee Palace said.
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Readout of President Obama’s Call with President Putin. -The White House/Situation in Ukraine. -John Kerry (Press Statement)
Russian diplomat: Ukraine situation should be brought back in constitutional framework...
China opposes sanctions in handling international relations
IMF "impressed" with Ukraine commitment to reform
Putin’s spokesman ironical about Western countries’ mediation attempts in Ukraine
White House: Obama calls 6 world leaders about Ukraine crisis
He also held a conference call about the situation with the presidents of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in a statement.
- No further details about the discussions were immediately available.
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The US supports Baltic states and will be standing by its NATO defense commitments, US President Barack Obama said on Saturday during a teleconference with Baltic leaders including Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, the White House stated....
ReplyDelete"The President reaffirmed the United States' unwavering commitment to our collective defense commitments under the North Atlantic Treaty and our enduring support for the security and democracy of our Baltic allies," Reuters quoted the White House as saying.........http://rt.com/news/kiev-clashes-rioters-police-571/
8/3/14
The US has warned Russia that any moves to annex Crimea would close the door to diplomacy.....
ReplyDeleteUS Secretary of State John Kerry told Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that Crimea is part of Ukraine and Moscow should avoid military escalation.
Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has been discussing the deepening crisis with world leaders.......http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26501716
8/3/14
Readout of the President’s Calls with President Berzins of Latvia, Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom, President Grybauskaite of Lithuania, President Hollande of France, President Ilves of Estonia, and Prime Minister Renzi of Italy. -The White House, Office of the Press Secretary...
ReplyDeleteThe President spoke separately with Prime Minister Cameron, President Hollande, and Prime Minister Renzi today about Ukraine. The President welcomed the strong, unified stance of the United States and the European Union regarding Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine, including in the conclusions of the March 6 European Council. The leaders reiterated their grave concern over Russia’s clear violation of international law and reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The President also spoke with President Berzins, President Grybauskaite, and President Ilves on a conference call today. The President reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to our collective defense commitments under the North Atlantic Treaty and our enduring support for the security and democracy of our Baltic allies. The Baltic leaders welcomed the provision of additional support to NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, and the leaders agreed to continue coordinating their efforts closely.
All of the leaders agreed on the need for Russia to pull its military forces back to their bases, allow for the deployment of international observers and human rights monitors to the Crimean peninsula, and agree quickly on the formation of a contact group that could lead to direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia to de-escalate the situation and restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The leaders rejected the proposed referendum in Crimea as a violation of Ukraine’s constitution and underscored that all decisions about the future of Ukraine must include the government in Kyiv. The leaders made clear that Russia’s continued violation of international law will isolate it from the international community. They also discussed the need for the international community to provide strong support to the government of Ukraine as it works to stabilize its economy and prepares for elections in May. They agreed to continue close coordination, including through appropriate international organizations.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/03/08/readout-president-s-calls-president-berzins-latvia-prime-minister-camero
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