Obama calls Crimean referendum violation of international law
- 10 years ago
Crimea's parliament votes to join Russia Thursday and its Moscow-backed government set a referendum on the decision in 10 days' time in a dramatic escalation of the crisis over the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula.
U.S. President Barack Obama says such a move would violate international law.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"The proposed referendum on the future of Crimea would violate the Ukrainian constitution and violate international law. And discussion about the future of Ukraine must include the legitimate government of Ukraine. In 2014, we are well beyond the days when borders can be redrawn over the heads of democratic leaders."
He said there is a better path forward.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"Let international monitors into all of Ukraine including Crimean, to insure the rights of all Ukrainian are being respected, including ethnic Russians. "
He also called on Congress to move b
U.S. President Barack Obama says such a move would violate international law.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"The proposed referendum on the future of Crimea would violate the Ukrainian constitution and violate international law. And discussion about the future of Ukraine must include the legitimate government of Ukraine. In 2014, we are well beyond the days when borders can be redrawn over the heads of democratic leaders."
He said there is a better path forward.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"Let international monitors into all of Ukraine including Crimean, to insure the rights of all Ukrainian are being respected, including ethnic Russians. "
He also called on Congress to move b