Obama Gives Ukraine Full Backing
Joins interim PM in sternly warning Russia that Ukraine will not surrender its sovereignty.
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Hagel Discusses Ukraine With French Defense Minister
US Military News
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke by phone with French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
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President Obama is imposing sanctions against Russian officials after Crimea's vote to secede from Ukraine. The executive order issued Monday names seven Russian government officials. The order says it will also target the assets of individuals who are supporting the officials. In addition, the Treasury Department is imposing sanctions on four Ukrainians, including former President Viktor Yanukovych and two Crimea-based separatist leaders. Ref. USAToday
President Obama: No U.S. Military Action in Ukraine:
"We are not going to be getting into military excursion in Ukraine. What we are going to do is mobilize all of our diplomatic resources to make sure that we've got a strong international correlation that sends a clear message," President Obama said. Ref. Source 4
The United States and Europe are united in their support for Ukraine, including the need for economic assistance, and in efforts to isolate Russia for its intervention in Crimea, President Barack Obama said today at the European Union-U.S. Summit in Brussels, Belgium.
The U.S. And its European allies are also prepared to move forward with additional sanctions against Russia if it makes any further incursions in Ukraine, Obama said. Ref. CNN