A member of a pro-Russian self-defense force takes down a Ukrainian Navy flag, left, as another raises the Russian flag at Ukrainian Navy headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea, March 19, 2014.
“The international community will continue to stand together to oppose any violations of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity."
The United States condemns Russia’s efforts to annex Crimea; it is a blatant violation of international law.
In response to the recent illegal “referendum” in Crimea, President Barack Obama announced a series of sanctions on specific individuals responsible for, among other things, undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine or its democratic processes or institutions.
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U.S. Sanctions Russia Over Crimea
President Obama also signed a new executive order focused on Russian activities related to the crisis in Ukraine, authorizing sanctions on, among others, individuals and entities operating in the arms sector in Russia and individuals who provide material support to senior officials of the Russia government. The United States stands ready to impose further sanctions if and as necessary.
The U.S. is continuing to consult with its European allies who have also imposed sanctions against Russia. As NATO allies, said President Obama, “we have a solemn commitment to our collective defense, and we will uphold this commitment.”
Further provocations will achieve nothing except to further isolate Russia and diminish its place in the world, said President Obama. “The international community will continue to stand together to oppose any violations of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, and continued Russian military intervention in Ukraine will only deepen Russia’s diplomatic isolation and exact a greater toll on the Russian economy.”
President Obama underscored there remains a clear path for resolving this crisis diplomatically.
The United States stands with the people of Ukraine and their right to determine their own destiny. The U.S. along with the international community will not stand quietly by while one country forcibly seizes the territory of another. The United States calls on all members of the international community to take concrete steps to impose costs on Russia, and to stand together in support of the Ukrainian people and Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
