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5:05 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: 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 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.
END 5:09 P.M. EST
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