Updated March 6, 2014 1:32 p.m. ET
President Obama comments on his decision to authorize sanctions against those undermining democracy in Ukraine and says Russia has violated international law with its intervention in Ukraine. He adds there is a way to resolve the crisis while keeping in mind the interest of the Russian Federation and the Ukrainian people. Photo: AP
WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama on Thursday said a planned referendum on the future of Crimea is illegal and said the U.S. and European Union are united against Russia's "intervention" in Ukraine.
"Any discussion about the future of Ukraine must include the legitimate government," Mr. Obama said in a brief statement from the White House. "In 2014 we are well beyond the days when borders can be drawn over the heads of democratic leaders."
Mr. Obama's comments come as the Moscow-backed Crimea set a referendum in 10 days to ratify its decision to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. It also comes as the Obama administration set the groundwork to impose sanctions and restrict visas for those who have worked to destabilize Ukraine.
Mr. Obama said the U.S. has the flexibility to continue taking other steps to punish Russia. He said, however, there is a way for the crisis to be resolved in a way that is beneficial to both Russians and Ukrainians. He also said Russia should allow international monitors into Ukraine.
Earlier Thursday, the president signed an executive order authorizing sanctions against those undermining democracy in Ukraine, a step the administration said is intended to increase pressure on Russia to pull back from Crimea.
U.S. President Barack Obama delivered a statement on the situation in Ukraine Thursday. Reuters
The administration also imposed new visa bans on those it believes responsible for perpetuating the crisis.
The moves were unveiled in Washington as Secretary of State John Kerry pursued diplomatic remedies, meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Rome Thursday. Mr. Kerry pressed the Russians to talk directly to officials of the new Ukrainian government.
Senior administration officials said no one has yet been sanctioned, beyond visa restrictions, but warned that they now have set the stage for punitive actions to be taken quickly.
"This should send a strong message that we intend to impose costs on Russia for this intervention," a senior administration official said.
The White House wouldn't say who would be considered for sanctions or whether the deposed Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovych, was among potential targets.
"Anybody who is involved or complicit in activities that are threatening the sovereignty, territorial integrity or stability of Ukraine is as of this morning on notice that they may be targeted for U.S. sanctions," said another senior official.
Congressional leaders, who are working to draft sanctions legislation, said the administration was headed in the right direction.
"We welcome this first step, but remain committed to working with the administration to give President Obama as many tools as needed to put President [Vladimir] Putin in check, as well as prevent Russia from infringing on the sovereignty of any of its other neighbors," said Brendan Buck, spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio).
The House is expected to vote later Thursday on a $1 billion aid package to assist Ukraine that was sought by the administration.
Administration officials wouldn't say how many individuals are included in the visa restrictions and wouldn't release their names, but said they would be notified.
They also said the administration will be looking to add additional names to the list if the crisis continues.
The officials said further steps to target the assets and travel of Russian individuals and their allies in Ukraine could be avoided if President Putin pulls back his military posture in Crimea, but that the U.S. has already designated individuals to be sanctioned for actions so far.
"We believe there need to be costs and consequences for Russia for what they've already done," the first senior official said.
The executive order also allows for the U.S. to target "derivatives," or individuals who are acting on behalf of or supplying support to those involved in Moscow's encroachment on Ukraine, another senior administration official said.
"This authority is now in place, and we will be looking to use it as appropriate," the second senior official said.
The new steps follow a week of diplomatic wrangling about how to respond to Russia's actions in Crimea. The Obama administration has sought to de-escalate the unrest while also trying to ensure Ukraine's territorial integrity.
Crimea has been under de facto military occupation since the weekend, when thousands of heavily armed men—wearing unmarked uniforms but widely believed to be Russian soldiers from the country's Black Sea Fleet, which is based in the region—seized key locations on the peninsula and effectively cut it off from the rest of Ukraine.
The government of Crimea said Thursday that it will hold a referendum on whether to formally secede from Ukraine and join the Russian Federation, dramatically escalating tensions as the West tries to negotiate a withdrawal of Russian troops from the region.
U.S. officials said the timing of Mr. Obama's executive order was already in the works and wasn't impacted by the referendum.
Mr. Obama's executive order "authorizes sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for activities undermining democratic processes or institutions in Ukraine; threatening the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine; contributing to the misappropriation of state assets of Ukraine; or purporting to assert governmental authority over any part of Ukraine without authorization from the Ukrainian government in Kyiv."
The order "is a flexible tool that will allow us to sanction those who are most directly involved in destabilizing Ukraine, including the military intervention in Crimea, and doesn't preclude further steps should the situation deteriorate."
—Jared A. Favole, Michael R. Crittenden and Ian Talley contributed to this article.
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 Voice of America |
Obama: Crimean Referendum Violation of International Law
Voice of America President Barack Obama said on Thursday that an initiative put forth by pro-Russian lawmakers in Crimea to secede from Ukraine and join the Russian Federation via a regional referendum would be in violation of international law. “The proposed referendum ... War, Yes? War, No? The Ukraine Standoff as Diplomatic MashupBusinessweek Obama Says Referendum in Crimea Would Violate LawNew York Times House panel condemns Russia for action in the UkraineUSA TODAY Los Angeles Times -CNN -Washington Post all 7,858 news articles » |
Footage shows the woman, speaking against Russia in Crimea, being manhandled and dragged by her hair into a police van.
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