Russia's Putin calls Obama to discuss U.S. proposal on Ukraine: White House

[ProSense]

Russia's Putin calls Obama to discuss U.S. proposal on Ukraine: White House

By Steve Holland

(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin called U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday to discuss a U.S. diplomatic proposal for Ukraine and Obama told him that Russia must pull back its troops and not move deeper into Ukraine, the White House said.

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Putin called to discuss a U.S. proposal for a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine crisis, which Secretary of State John Kerry again presented to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a meeting at The Hague earlier this week.

The United States has been pressing Russia to pull back its troops to their Crimean bases and agree to talks with the Ukrainian government with international mediation. International monitors would go into Ukraine to assure that the ethnic Russian minority there is safe.

"President Obama suggested that Russia put a concrete response in writing and the presidents agreed that Kerry and Lavrov would meet to discuss next steps," the White House said.

A senior Obama administration official described the call as "frank and direct" and said the next step is the Kerry-Lavrov follow-up discussions to see whether the Russians are serious about diplomacy.

- more -

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/28/us-ukraine-crisis-obama-putin-idUSBREA2R1X020140328

[ProSense]

1. Readout of the President’s Call with President Putin

Readout of the President’s Call with President Putin

President Putin called President Obama today to discuss the U.S. proposal for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis in Ukraine, which Secretary Kerry had again presented to Foreign Minister Lavrov at the meeting at the Hague earlier this week, and which we developed following U.S. consultations with our Ukrainian and European partners. President Obama suggested that Russia put a concrete response in writing and the presidents agreed that Kerry and Lavrov would meet to discuss next steps.

President Obama noted that the Ukrainian government continues to take a restrained and de-escalatory approach to the crisis and is moving ahead with constitutional reform and democratic elections, and urged Russia to support this process and avoid further provocations, including the buildup of forces on its border with Ukraine.

President Obama underscored to President Putin that the United States continues to support a diplomatic path in close consultation with the Government of Ukraine and in support of the Ukrainian people with the aim of de-escalation of the crisis. President Obama made clear that this remains possible only if Russia pulls back its troops and does not take any steps to further violate Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. President Obama reiterated that the United States has strongly opposed the actions that Russia has already taken to violate Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/03/28/readout-president-s-call-president-putin

[okaawhatever]

2. This is a good sign, I think. I know Merkel said Putin lied to her to gain more time before invading

Crimea. I hope that isn't the case here. Obama said in his speech that Ukraine wasn't looking to join NATO, maybe that helped. We'll see.

In this crisis, the chancellor has had to concede that she underestimated Putin's determination. In February, Merkel still believed she could prevent Russia from annexing Crimea. Last week, she warned European leaders behind closed doors that Putin could not be trusted. She said he had lied to her several times and made promises that he then proceeded to break.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-and-europe-search-for-an-adequate-response-to-putin-a-960378.html

[mcar]

3. K&R

Thanks for keeping up with the news for us!

[ProSense]

4. You're welcome. n/t

[steve2470]

5. k&r nt

[sheshe2]

6. Good to see that Putin

Is reaching out to President Barack Hussein Obama for solutions.

"President Obama made clear that this remains possible only if Russia pulls back its troops and does not take any steps to further violate Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty," the White House said.

Thank you PS.

[ProSense]

7. Love the title of this Daily Kos post:

Hello, Republican Party? Mr. Putin holding on Line 1 for Mr. Obama
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/03/28/1288111/-Hello-Republican-Party-Mr-Putin-holding-on-Line-1-for-Mr-Obama

LOL!