Summary of 90 minute call between PBO and Putin today

[steve2470]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10669670/Ukraine-live-Crimea-leader-appeals-to-Putin-to-help-as-Obama-warns-of-costs-to-Moscow.html

First, PBO:

22.21 We now have the White House read out of that call which lasted 90 minutes:

"President Obama spoke for 90 minutes this afternoon with President Putin of Russia about the situation in Ukraine. President Obama expressed his deep concern over Russia's clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is a breach of international law, including Russia’s obligations under the UN Charter, and of its 1997 military basing agreement with Ukraine, and which is inconsistent with the 1994 Budapest Memorandum and the Helsinki Final Act. The United States condemns Russia’s military intervention into Ukrainian territory.

"The United States calls on Russia to de-escalate tensions by withdrawing its forces back to bases in Crimea and to refrain from any interference elsewhere in Ukraine. We have consistently said that we recognize Russia’s deep historic and cultural ties to Ukraine and the need to protect the rights of ethnic Russian and minority populations within Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has made clear its commitment to protect the rights of all Ukrainians and to abide by Ukraine’s international commitments, and we will continue to urge them to do so.

"President Obama told President Putin that, if Russia has concerns about the treatment of ethnic Russian and minority populations in Ukraine, the appropriate way to address them is peacefully through direct engagement with the government of Ukraine and through the dispatch of international observers under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). As a member of both organizations, Russia would be able to participate. President Obama urged an immediate effort to initiate a dialogue between Russia and the Ukrainian government, with international facilitation, as appropriate. The United States is prepared to participate.

More at link above. Now, for Putin:

http://eng.kremlin.ru/news/6752

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the United States Barack Obama on the American side’s initiative.

The two presidents discussed in detail various aspects of the extraordinary situation in Ukraine.

In reply to Mr Obama’s concern over the possibility of the use of Russian armed forces on the territory of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin drew his attention to the provocative and criminal actions on the part of ultranationalists who are in fact being supported by the current authorities in Kiev.

The Russian President spoke of a real threat to the lives and health of Russian citizens and the many compatriots who are currently on Ukrainian territory. Vladimir Putin stressed that in case of any further spread of violence to Eastern Ukraine and Crimea, Russia retains the right to protect its interests and the Russian-speaking population of those areas.

[alarimer]

1. Putin is so full of shit, if that second excerpt is at all reflective of what he said.

Or just spin.

[kelly1mm]

2. Simpler summary President Obama "Get out!", President Putin "No thanks!". nt

[steve2470]

3. official White House summary

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/03/01/readout-president-obama-s-call-president-putin

For Immediate Release March 01, 2014
Readout of President Obama’s Call with President Putin

President Obama spoke for 90 minutes this afternoon with President Putin of Russia about the situation in Ukraine. President Obama expressed his deep concern over Russia’s clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is a breach of international law, including Russia’s obligations under the UN Charter, and of its 1997 military basing agreement with Ukraine, and which is inconsistent with the 1994 Budapest Memorandum and the Helsinki Final Act. The United States condemns Russia’s military intervention into Ukrainian territory.

The United States calls on Russia to de-escalate tensions by withdrawing its forces back to bases in Crimea and to refrain from any interference elsewhere in Ukraine. We have consistently said that we recognize Russia’s deep historic and cultural ties to Ukraine and the need to protect the rights of ethnic Russian and minority populations within Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has made clear its commitment to protect the rights of all Ukrainians and to abide by Ukraine’s international commitments, and we will continue to urge them to do so.

President Obama told President Putin that, if Russia has concerns about the treatment of ethnic Russian and minority populations in Ukraine, the appropriate way to address them is peacefully through direct engagement with the government of Ukraine and through the dispatch of international observers under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). As a member of both organizations, Russia would be able to participate. President Obama urged an immediate effort to initiate a dialogue between Russia and the Ukrainian government, with international facilitation, as appropriate. The United States is prepared to participate.

President Obama made clear that Russia’s continued violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would negatively impact Russia’s standing in the international community. In the coming hours and days, the United States will urgently consult with allies and partners in the UN Security Council, the North Atlantic Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and with the signatories of the Budapest Memorandum. The United States will suspend upcoming participation in preparatory meetings for the G-8. Going forward, Russia’s continued violation of international law will lead to greater political and economic isolation.

The people of Ukraine have the right to determine their own future. President Obama has directed his Administration to continue working urgently with international partners to provide support for the Ukrainian government, including urgent technical and financial assistance. Going forward, we will continue consulting closely with allies and partners, the Ukrainian government and the International Monetary Fund, to provide the new government with significant assistance to secure financial stability, to support needed reforms, to allow Ukraine to conduct successful elections, and to support Ukraine as it pursues a democratic future.

[freshwest]

13. Thanks, would have loved to hear the audio. n/t

[LiberalEsto]

4. I fear this will result in a huge number of Ukrainian deaths

and Russian control over Ukraine. Putin will get his way.

This will also heighten Russia's sense of being entitled to take over Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and other former soviet republics whenever Putin feels like it. The U.S, and NATO won't dare do a thing out of concern it could trigger a major war.

I don't want to see military intervention by the U.S. or NATO, but I fervently hope there is some other way to stop Putin and his imperialist insanity.

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. Me too...

I have not been this worried in a long time.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

10. the biggest concern to me is Lithuania and Latvia...

as members of NATO we are bound to protect them... and if no one shows any backbone in Ukraine, they will look like tasty targets...

sP

[1000words]

6. Putin is in the power position

The White House and State Dept. will make a stink, but there's not much they are going to to do

[LiberalEsto]

7. Yet Putin told the US to stay out of Syria.

I guess he thinks he's in charge of everything.

[1000words]

9. Not that it means much to me ...

Forbes did claim him to be the most powerful man in the world.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinehoward/2013/10/30/the-worlds-most-powerful-people-2013/

Not to mention, he rides a hog:

[justiceischeap]

8. Didn't someone on DU predict this?

Also, we have a lot of Russian nationals in the US... does that mean Putin has the right to bring his Army here and protect them?

[LisaL]

11. Is somebody after them here?

[stevenleser]

14. You can argue that someone is after everyone, everywhere. nt

[amandabeech]

12. There are plenty here in the DC area.

I guess the Russian air force will be landing at Dulles and Thurgood Marshall BWI soon. National's (DCA) runways will probably be too short for any military plane.

All the figure skating coaches and computer techies can just board and go home along with the DPL folks. And the spooks.

Putin is just so nekulturny.