Obama on Ukraine: The U.S. is 'deeply concerned'
(CNN) - The United States is "deeply concerned" by reports of Russian military movements inside Ukraine, President Barack Obama said Friday, saying any violation of Ukraine's sovereignty would be "deeply destabilizing."
Obama said that the situation in Ukraine was "very fluid" and that the United States would continue to coordinate closely with European allies and communicate directly with the Russian government.
"The United States will stand with the international community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine," he said.
Here's a transcript of his remarks:
Good afternoon, everybody.Over the last several days, the United States has been responding to events as they unfold 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. 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.
I also spoke several days ago with President Putin, and my administration has been in daily communication with Russian officials, and we've made clear 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.
However, we are now deeply concerned by reports of military movements taken by the Russian Federation inside of Ukraine. Russia has a historic relationship with Ukraine, including cultural and economic ties, and a military facility in Crimea, but any violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of Ukraine, Russia, or Europe.
*It would represent a profound interference in matters that must be determined by the Ukrainian people. It would be a clear violence [violation]of Russia’s commitment to respect the independence and sovereignty and borders of Ukraine, and of international laws. And just days after the world came to Russia for the Olympic Games, it would invite the condemnation of nations around the world. And indeed, the United States will stand with the international community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine.
The events of the past several months remind us of how difficult democracy can be in a country with deep divisions. But the Ukrainian people have also reminded us that human beings have a universal right to determine their own future.
Right now, the situation remains very fluid. Vice President Biden just spoke with Prime Minister - the Prime Minister of Ukraine to assure him that in this difficult moment the United States supports his government’s efforts and stands for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic future of Ukraine. I also commend the Ukrainian government’s restraint and its 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. And we will continue to keep all of you in the press corps and the American people informed as events develop.
Thanks very much.
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deeply concerned
deeply destabilizing
very fluid
coordinate closely
communicate directly
Anyone for a round of Buzzword Bingo?
And the president is taking extreme liberties by claiming that "The United States" really concerned. Do all those citizens of the US who work hard every day to just make ends meet really, honestly give a darn about what goes on halfway around the world? Methinks the president is taking liberties, again, with his rhetoric.
You can kiss Ukraine goodbye. It will be Putin's property before Christmas. (Remember how Assad, "Had to go?" He's still there.)
yeah!! right Obama! the protesters RENEGED on a deal that they had signed SIX HOURS EARLIER! continued with their hostile acts of terrorism that you call "peaceful protesting" then ILLEGALLY overthrew the democratically elected govt!
all after signing a deal that even YOU said was for the good of Ukraine! now that the protesters have usurped power for now,you want to side with them thinking that Russia will cave because of your lies.
its about time for you and our country to stay out of the affairs of other nations! and you forgot to mention that (ONCE AGAIN) John the war hawk McCain was in their country inciting the masses to revolt against their own govt knowing full and well that if anyone here did the same thing,you would mow us all down and call us terrorist!
Leave it alone Obama, Russia is not Syria or Iran.
As if Obama, this biggest PU5SYIE of all time is going to do anything about it....he can be "concerned" all he wants. Nobody cares. Putin laughs at him.
Obama scares nobody, especially Putin.
we will defeat the americans!
Hey Mr. President, the 80's called and they want their foreign policy back. REMEMBER ROMNEY SAID RUSSIA is our primary threat and Obama criticized him. Would you like ice cream with your HUMBLE pie Mr. President?
You tell them boss, now go back to watching cartoon network and smoking your joint.
What? No neo cons calling for military action yet?
Putin to Obama: Thanks for your "concern", but we got handled.
Sorry, but Russia does the right things! There are many Russian people who want the part of Russia. Plus, why USA can go in all countries, but others can't? The Russians is not going to fight, they will protect people from bad who took the Ukraine government! Please, don't make control all earth USA, thanks, you better improve the economy and life in the USA. There are many ( a lot of) people with out of a job.
We just can not mind our own business.
-–wel-done, it is a diplomacy, involve Europe, rest of the world, it does NOT become a drain on our treasury–just like two wars we had needlessly while main culprit hid in Pakistan happily that looted 30 billion dollars yearly from us. God bless this President.
How about we just worry about ourselves and stop with the smack talking. Worst president ever.
Like Putin really cares what the man-child says.
Uh oh. It's going to be a major flashpoint between NATO and Russian Forces!
imagine that! a president who is responsible for the deaths of 1683 of the 2313 ameicans senselessly killed in Afghanistan, a president who, like the moron who preceded him, invaded, made war upon, and occupied TWO SOVEREIGN country's, saying...this is the really BIG part...that HE EXPECTS RUSSIA TO HONOR THE SOVEREIGNTY OF UKRAINE...'tis just too much for an intelligent mind to comprehend....I just give up..and especially when that clown he has as secy of state, says the same thing...I give up.
And the nation breathes a sigh of indifference.
So whatever credit Putin got for helping avert an international crisis in Syria, looks like it's about to be cancelled out...
Obama, the world knows you don't back up what you say. You're word means nothing.
If Mexico was at civil war, I'm just sure we would not tolerate Russian involvement, the Ukraine borders Russia, duh, stay the eff out of it, NONE of our business.
That's funny.. I don't FEEL deeply concerned..
Obama is all talk. He will do nothing but ask for sanctions that will never happen to Russia. This isn't some small terrorist group you can drone, and that seems to be Obama's only real action.
Its none of our business Mr. President........