PUTIN TO OBAMA: Here’s Why We’re Intervening In Ukraine
ERIN FUCHS AND BRETT LOGIURATO
BusinessInsider.com
MAR. 1, 2014
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to President Barack Obama for 90 minutes on the phone Saturday about the escalating situation in Ukraine, the White House said.
The White House said that Obama expressed “deep concern” over Russia’s “clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The Russian government also released a statement on the phone call, which was translated into English by Breaking News Wire. The Russian government’s statement said that Putin called Obama to explain why Russia was sending troops to Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula. From the statement:
In response to the concern shown by Barack Obama regarding possible plans of the use of Russian armed forces on the territory of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin drew attention to the provocative criminal acts by ultra-nationalist elements, which are in fact encouraged by the current authorities in Kiev.
The Russian President stressed the existence of real threats to the lives and health of Russian citizens and compatriots on Ukrainian territory. Vladimir Putin stressed that in the case of further spread of violence in the eastern regions of Ukraine and Crimea, Russia reserves the right to protect its interests and the Russian-speaking population.
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