Statement
by the President on Ukraine
James S. Brady Press Briefing
Room
February 28, 2014
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 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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