Photo Credit: AP / Pablo Martinez MonsivaisBy Dave Boyer and Ashish Kumar Sen.
President Obama warned Russia on Monday of possible U.S. sanctions over its military land grab in Ukraine, but Moscow brushed aside international threats, tightening its stranglehold on Crimea and calling audaciously for a national unity government in Kiev.
In Washington, Mr. Obama said the world is “largely united” against Russia’s military action and he is considering economic and diplomatic steps that would gradually isolate Russia. He criticized the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin for being “on the wrong side of history.”
“What cannot be done is for Russia with impunity to put its soldiers on the ground and violate basic principles that are recognized around the world,” Mr. Obama said. “Over time, this will be a costly proposition for Russia.”
But the U.S. and European Union floundered for solutions — while global markets panicked over the prospect of violent upheaval in the heart of Europe. Fears grew that the Kremlin might carry out more land grabs in pro-Russian eastern Ukraine, or elsewhere in the former Soviet Union, adding urgency to Western efforts to defuse the crisis.
Secretary of State John F. Kerry was heading to Kiev in an expression of support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, and the EU threatened a raft of punitive measures as it called an emergency summit on Ukraine for Thursday. In Congress, lawmakers prepared to move on an aid package for Ukraine.
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US says it is suspending trade talks and all military-to-military engagements with Russia over Ukraine
By Fox News.
The U.S. announced late Monday it was suspending trade and investment talks with Russia as well as all “military-to-military engagements” as penalties for its actions in Ukraine.
The twin measures were announced only hours after America’s U.N. ambassador blasted Russia for its “dangerous military intervention” in Ukraine, calling it a violation of international law and saying: “It must stop.”
A spokesperson for the office of the U.S. Trade Representative confirmed to Fox News “due to recent events in Ukraine, we have suspended upcoming bilateral trade and investment engagement with the government of Russia that were part of a move toward deeper commercial and trade ties.”
Earlier, the Pentagon said the U.S. was putting on hold “all military-to military engagements” with Russia, including exercises, bilateral meetings, port visits and planning conferences.
President Obama also met with his National Security Council Monday to discuss the situation. A spokeswoman said Obama and his team discussed what actions the U.S. and its foreign counterparts could do to further isolate Russia, and reinforce the fact that Moscow faces more repercussions if it does not take steps to de-escalate the situation.
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Sen. Inhofe on Russia: ‘I Warned This Day Was Coming and It Is Here’
By Craig Bannister.
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of Senate Armed Services Committee, today criticized President Obama’s response to Russia and policies that have weakened the current state of the United States military.
Inhofe said that he had warned that trouble with Russia was coming due to Pres. Obama’s efforts to disarm the U.S. military – and now that trouble is here…
The arrogant actions of President Putin and Russia in recent days is a direct result of President Obama’s disarming of America since the beginning of his Administration.
Five years ago, I went to Afghanistan to respond to President Obama’s first budget knowing he was going to disarm America. In that first budget, he canceled our only fifth generation fighter, the F-22; he cancelled our C-17; and he cancelled our FCS. That was just the first year. Since then he has taken $487 billion out of our national security. His disarming of America over the past five years limits our options in Ukraine today. I just returned from Georgia in January, and they fear Russia will further invade their territory next.
Throughout this Administration, I have also warned that if the United States does not maintain a ready and capable military, we would surrender our global influence and leave a vacuum that will be filled by Russia. I warned this day was coming, and it is here. President Obama’s attempt to seek peace through apologetic diplomacy while defunding and dismantling our military has failed. Today our enemies don’t fear us and our allies no longer respect us.
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