Russia's Lavrov tells Kerry Crimea sanctions "unacceptable"

[ProSense]

UPDATE 1-Russia's Lavrov tells Kerry Crimea sanctions "unacceptable"

(Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that Western sanctions over the Crimea dispute were "unacceptable" and threatened consequences, Moscow said on Tuesday.

The two senior diplomats spoke by telephone hours after President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty in the Kremlin making Ukraine's Crimea peninsula part of Russia, despite an outcry from Kiev and the West.

<...>

Lavrov's remarks echoed comments earlier on Tuesday by Putin who said Western attempts to frighten Russia with sanctions would be viewed as an act of aggression, and that Moscow would retaliate.

Kerry reiterated Washington's position that the referendum and the takeover of Crimea were "illegal" and "unacceptable", State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

- more -

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/18/ukraine-crisis-lavrov-kerry-idUSL6N0MF4UI20140318

Russians laughing at sanctions? Pure bluster
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024685278

[JNelson6563]

1. I don't like where this is going.

Worrisome.

[Cali_Democrat]

3. I think more sanctions are coming

We're already seeing capital flight from Russia to the tune of billions of dollars.

The US/EU are holding the cards here.

But ya gotta admit, Putin does look great with his shirt off.

[Beacool]

9. Not really.

He's not as good looking or as macho as he thinks he is. Then again, despot wannabes are a turn off for me.

[Cali_Democrat]

11. I was kidding

[Beacool]

13. Oh, I knew that.

[TwilightGardener]

2. Wait...not funny? Thought they were a "joke".

Everyone said so.

[snooper2]

4. I thought these were no big deal? Pro Putin DU'ers saying it's a joke

HA HA

Strong Bear Putin wins again!

Right-

Oh,

Now they are a problem eh Lavrovy?

[okaawhatever]

5. This was done, to a large extent, to reduce support for Putin by the oligarchs. Also, to punish the

oligarchs who have earned their money dishonestly. I do hope the Russians respond in kind, and separate the tea party from their supporters the Koch Brothers et ux, ditto the oligarchs who support the Republicans.

[Cha]

6. But, they were "hilarious" and now they're "unacceptable"?

what happened to their sense of humor?

[geek tragedy]

7. Well, so is gay pride according to his boss, so fuck him. nt

[okaawhatever]

12. Good one. +1,000 nt

[Beacool]

8. Cry me a river, Sergei.

Sanctions are an act of aggression, but invading another country and annexing a portion of it was nothing more than a friendly take over? You and your megalomaniac boss can go f*ck yourselves.

[The Magistrate]

10. How Cute, Ma'am