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By a 48%-43% margin, Americans approve of how President Barack Obama has so far handled the crisis in Ukraine, according to a new CNN/ORC International poll. The President's rating for how he's handling his overall job in the White House stands at 43%, down 2 percentage points from a month ago.
The survey, released today, also indicates that imposing economic sanctions on Russia appears to be the only option that a majority of Americans support for the U.S. To try to end the crisis in Ukraine.
Nearly 6 in 10 questioned say they support economic sanctions against Moscow by the U.S. And its allies in an attempt to force Russia to remove its forces from Ukraine's autonomous Crimean Peninsula, and to try to prevent Russia from sending forces into other parts of Ukraine. Nearly 4 in 10 oppose economic sanctions. Last week the Obama administration set the groundwork for sanctions against Russia. Ref. CNN
For the first time in more than a decade, Americans feel that Russia is a serious threat to the U.S., according to a new national poll. And they really don't like Vladimir Putin, either.
According to a CNN/ORC International Poll released today, 69% of those surveyed say Russia is a serious threat to the U.S., a 25-point jump since 2012 and the highest number on that question since the breakup of the Soviet Union.
More than seven in 10 say there is no justification for Russia's actions in Ukraine, and nearly half believe that a new Cold War is likely in the next few years. As for Putin, he saw a 14-point increase in his unfavorable rating, to 68% from 54% just before the Winter Olympics started in Sochi, Russia, last month. Ref. CNN
US-sponsored UN resolution on Crimea could aggravate crisis - China:
A UN Security Council resolution, calling on countries not to recognize the results of the Crimean referendum, "Could currently only lead to confrontation and further aggravate the situation," According to a statement issued Sunday by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang. Ref. Source 8
U.S. Suggests Baltics war games in response to Russian "Land grab":
The United States is considering sending troops for war games in the Baltic states bordering Russia, Vice President Joe Biden said on Tuesday in an effort to reassure NATO allies alarmed at the Kremlin's intervention in Ukraine. Ref. Source 1?
Russia says U.S. Decision to shut Syrian embassy is disappointing:
The Russian Foreign Ministry suggested Washington's actions were aimed at "Regime change" To oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad whom Russia has protected at the U.N. Security Council and with arms deals. Ref. Source 5
President Barack Obama announced more sanctions today on individuals and one bank in response to Russia's moves to annex the Crimean Peninsula, as well as an executive order that authorizes possible further sanctions on what he called "Key sectors" Of the Russian economy.
"We want the Ukrainian people to determine their own destiny and have good relations with the United States, Russia, Europe -- anyone they choose," Obama said in calling for continued diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis over Crimea. Ref. CNN
President Putin mocks US sanctions, vows not to retaliate:
Vladimir Putin has mocked US sanctions imposed on Russia, saying he will open an account at US-sanctioned Rossiya Bank. During a meeting with the country's senior security officials he added that he won't introduce a visa regime with Ukraine. Ref. Source 8
Russia sanctions would be 'catastrophe' for many firms:
German trade body; If an escalation of Europe's stand-off with Moscow over Ukraine results in economic sanctions, more than 6,000 German companies who do business with Russia would suffer catastrophic losses, Germany's main trade body has warned. Ref. Source 6