In response to Russia's aggressive action in Ukraine, the Pentagon has halted all military cooperation with Russia, including exercises and meetings, Rear Adm. John Kirby said. In addition, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman announced, "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," According to reports from the Wall Street Journal and Politico. Ref. USAToday
Double Standard
Russian President Vladimir Putin today accused the United States and other Western nations of a double standard in criticizing his nation's incursion into Crimea. He said the U.S. Acted in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya without a U.N. Resolution authorizing that action or by "Twisting" U.N. Resolutions.
Putin also said Russia is not trying to make Crimea a part of Russia. Only people who live in Crimea can determine their future, he said. Ref. CNN
President Barack Obama said today there is a "Strong belief" That Russia's actions in Ukraine violate international law. "President Putin seems to have a different set of lawyers making a different set of interpretations, but I don't think that's fooling anybody," Obama said.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking in Kiev, said Russia had made up reasons to intervene in Ukraine, saying "Not a single piece of credible evidence supports any one of these (Russian) claims." He added that "Russia has been working hard to create a pretext to invade further" In Ukraine. Ref. CNN
The European Union will consider sanctions against Russia if there is no deescalation in the Ukraine crisis, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said today.
Meanwhile, Russian lawmakers are working on a draft law to allow the confiscation of assets belonging to European or U.S. Companies if sanctions are imposed, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said. Ref. CNN
Foreign ministers -- including those from Russia and Ukraine -- meeting today in Paris "Agreed to continue intense discussions in the coming days" To resolve the crisis in Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said.
Their goal is "To see how we can help normalize the situation, stabilize it and overcome the crisis," He said.
Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met three times today in the French capital. One of those meetings included a "Brief and informal discussion" Among Kerry, Lavrov, British Foreign Secretary William Hague, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, an official said. Ref. CNN
U.S. Announces visa restrictions on Russians
The White House is imposing visa restrictions on Russians and Crimeans who it says are "Threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine." In addition, President Obama has signed an executive order authorizing sanctions against "Individuals and entities responsible for activities undermining democratic processes or institutions in Ukraine." Ref. USAToday
U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked for an hour Thursday about the crisis in Ukraine, according to the White House.
Obama conveyed the U.S. Position to his Russian counterpart, including that "There is a way to resolve the situation diplomatically," According to the White House statement. "As a part of that resolution, the governments of Ukraine and Russia would hold direct talks, facilitated by the international community." Ref. CNN