President Obama Comments On The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine

Obama Vows Russia Penalties, But Avoids Calling Ukraine Advance An Invasion -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — President Obama condemned the latest Russian military advance into Ukraine on Thursday and said the United States and its allies would take further actions to punish Moscow for violating its neighbor’s sovereignty, but he stopped short of calling it an invasion.

“My expectation is we will take additional steps primarily because we have not seen any meaningful action on the part of Russia to try to resolve this in a diplomatic fashion,” he told reporters in a news conference at the White House. “The sanctions that we’ve already applied have been effective. Our intelligence shows the Russians know they’ve been effective.”

Grappling with multiple international crises, Mr. Obama also confirmed that he had asked Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel for options for American military strikes inside Syria targeting forces of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, which has established a virtual state across the border of those two countries. But he cautioned against expecting imminent action, saying he wanted to build a formidable international coalition first.

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More News On President Obama Comments On The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine

Obama Puts Ukraine Violence Squarely on Russia -- AP
President Obama blames Russia for violence in Ukraine as footage shows Russian tanks rolling across the border -- Daily Mail
Obama Warns Russia Over 'Ongoing Incursion' Into Ukraine -- Radio Free Europe
Obama Blames Russia For Violence In Ukraine; Calls Moves 'Incursion' -- NPR
Obama Blames Russia for Ukraine Violence, Vows Sanctions -- Bloomberg
Obama suggests further sanctions against Russia over Ukraine incursion -- The Guardian
Obama threatens Russia with new sanctions over Ukraine -- RT

My Comment: Putin is going to take away two points from today's statement by President Obama .... (1) Obama rules out military action (AP), and (2) No Military Aid For Ukraine (Daily caller).

Update: Matt Connolly's commentary is spot on .... Obama Has Tough Talk for Russia, But Not Much Else -- Policy.mic