Obama, Merkel condemn Russia's annexation of Crimea
Updated: 2014-03-19 09:19
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||
|
In their telephone talk on Tuesday morning, Obama and Merkel viewed Russia's annexation of Crimea as a violation of international law and noted there would be costs, the White House said in a statement.
The leaders agreed to continue to underscore to Russian President Vladimir Putin that "there remains a clear path for resolving this crisis diplomatically", in a way that addresses the interests of both Russia and the people of Ukraine, said the statement.
Obama and Merkel also agreed that it was vital to send international monitors from the Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe and the United Nations to southern and eastern Ukraine immediately, according to the statement.
Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty with the leaders of Crimea to accept the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol as part of the Russian territory.
The agreement follows Monday's decision by the Crimean parliament to declare independence from Ukraine after official results from the referendum on March 16 showed 96.77 percent of Crimean voters chose to join Russia.
Putin reiterated that the Crimean population's vote is in full compliance with international law, in particular with Article 1 of the U.N. Charter that stipulates the principle of equality and self-determination of peoples. He also added that Moscow did not seek and did not need to split Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Tuesday morning on the events in Ukraine.
Kerry told Lavrov that the steps Russia had taken are "illegal" and "unacceptable", State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a press conference, adding that Kerry also warned that "there will continue to be costs and consequences."
| |
- Crimea crisis
- Ukraine rejects Crimea's accession treaty with Russia
- Meaning of the Crimea crisis
- Russia adopts Crimea, Sevastopol as its territory
- China reiterates call for Crimea political dialogue
- Putin backs agreement on Crimea's accession into Russia
- Crimea to use rouble and switch to Russian time
- Japan imposes sanctions on Russia over Crimea crisis
- Should Crimea referendum be recognized?
- Obama imposes sanctions on Russians over Crimea
- Fashions of the first ladies
- Pro-Russian forces take over Ukraine's naval HQ
- New US envoy hits ground running
- HK cellist to perform at Carnegie Hall
- Skyscrapers in E China resemble LV check pattern
- President Xi honors memory of devoted county Party chief
- More than just food
- Miss world visits cancer children in Colombia
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Malaysia Airlines plane still missing |
Deputies persevere on winding road to change |
Landing scare grounds homemade planes |
Scientists search for clear answers on smog |
Safeguarding China's sunken riches |
Banknote buys new vision of history |
Today's Top News
Tour adds 'new dimension' to Sino-US ties
Hunger strike off, anger remains
China largest holder of US debt
California shelves proposal
Chinese treasures on the block
China must expand inbound tourism
Tourists offered compensation for bad air days
US first lady's China visit to boost relations
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |